Inspection Detail

Inspection: 312666886 - Southern California Valve Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office

Investigation Summary

On June 7, 2011, Employee #1, who was employed by a valve manufacturer in Santa Fe Springs, CA, was on the roof of his employer's production/manufacturing building. Employee #1 was attempting to fly a self-made kite, an activity which was not part of his normal work duties. Two witnesses saw Employee #1 on the roof, as early as 9:00 a.m., attempting to fly the kite. Between 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Employee #1 fell through a translucent plastic skylight, located near the center and one third the distance from the south parapet wall of the roof. Employee #1 hit a machine on the way down and landed on the concrete floor, 25 feet to 30 feet below. Emergency rescue personnel were called immediately. Employee #1 was killed and was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire department notified the Division at 5:55 p.m. on June 7, 2011. According to the employer, its management was not aware that Employee #1 was on the roof attempting to fly a kite. According to Employee #1's work time card for June 7, 2011, Employee #1 clocked in at 6:52 a.m. but had not clocked out before he fell through the skylight. No witnesses were on the roof, when Employee #1 fell through the skylight. Employee #1 was not using any fall protection harnesses or safety lines. The company considered flying a kite on the roof of the production building to be a form of horseplay.

Keywords: SKYLIGHT, ROOF, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, HORSEPLAY