Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311903181 - Fiore & Sons, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Denver Area Office

Investigation Summary

On April 22, 2008, Employee #1 was assisting in the maintenance of a hospital. A coworker was operating a Komatsu Track Hoe (Model Number PC400LC). It had a long reach articulating arm and the Kinshofer processor attachment used to cut through concrete and steel. The coworker was cutting through some steel plate on the fourth floor of Children's Hospital, when an 18 in. long piece of metal, which appeared to be a step from a fire escape, was hurtled through the air. It struck Employee #1 below the knee, breaking his tibia. Employee was standing approximately 70 ft from the edge of the building, behind a safety fence, with an open gate. The piece of metal that struck Employee #1 did not appear to be related to the steel plate that was being cut. Employee #1 was transported to the hospital, and released the next day. Five days later, Employee #1 was at home, and complained of shortness of breath. He was transported to the hospital, where he died. The Coroner called in the report as a potential work-related fatality.

Keywords: FRACTURE, LACERATION, STRUCK BY, FLYING OBJECT, LEG