Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311663835 - Ace Restoration And Waterproofing Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys Mining & Tunneling District Office

Investigation Summary

On March 13, 2008, an employee and coworkers were working on a 93-in. wide by 86-in. high horseshoe shaped, concrete lined water tunnel during a rehabilitation project. The employee and coworkers were breaking up the floor and loading the concrete into muck cars with a Bobcat Model Number 463. After loading the three cars, the Bobcat would be turned around and used to tow the train of cars out of the tunnel. Due to the width of the tunnel, the Bobcat bucket had to be removed first and then reattached after turning around 180 degrees. The employee and the Bobcat operator were reattaching the bucket. Both were experienced in the operation of Bobcats and the procedure to attach the bucket. The operator was operating the Bobcat, and the employee was acting as a spotter and assistant. To attach the bucket, the top edge of a plate attached to the Bobcat arms was positioned underneath a flange on the top of the bucket, the bucket was lifted slightly off the ground, and then two levers on either side of the bucket were locked. The operator engaged the flange and lifted the bucket. The employee was standing on the right side of the bucket, from the operator's view, and engaged the right lever. While reaching over and engage the lever on far side of the bucket, the bucket was lowered onto his right foot. He suffered fractures in the first and second metatarsal bones of his right foot. The employee was hospitalized and underwent surgery.

Keywords: FRACTURE, CAUGHT BY, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, STRUCK BY, MOTOR VEHICLE, AERIAL LIFT, FOOT