Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311246359 - I-Maxx Metalworks Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Naperville Area Office

Investigation Summary

On October 10, 2007, Employee #1, an iron worker, was setting metal stair frame stringers at approximately 45 degrees, from one landing to the next upper landing. Metal erection clips were tack-welded by coworkers at each end of the stringers to hold them in place. The placement clips were tack-welded to each landing until the entire metal stairwell was assembled for a final weld. Employee #1 was working at the upper landing, pounding the stringers into place to align the upper position of the stringer with its position at the lower landing. Apparently, the welds for one of the metal clips failed, causing the metal clip to bend upward nearly 90 degrees from its original position. Employee #1 was pounding on the stringer when the clip failed and the two stringers fell. He lost his balance while swinging the heavy hammer and fell 14 ft 6 in., fracturing his skull, his left shoulder, his right arm, and several ribs. Because Employee #1 was working at a height of less than 15 ft, fall protection was not an enforceable issue.

Keywords: FRACTURE, STAIR, IRON WORKER, BROKEN WELD, CONSTRUCTION, STAIR LANDING, SKULL, FALL, ARM, LOST BALANCE