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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 312950207 - G.A. West & Co., Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Mobile Area Office
Site Address:
G.A. West & Co., Inc.
1 Linde Drive
Chickasaw, AL 36611
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 441, Saraland, AL 36571
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1799
NAICS: 238290/Other Building Equipment Contractors
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 04/09/2009
Emphasis: S:Struck-By
Case Closed: 10/02/2009
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100453828 |
Investigation Summary
On April 8, 2009, Employee #1, a contractor, and a coworker were adjusting a plate on the dump door of a pneumatic cylinder assembly. The dump door weighed approximately 900 pounds and, when energized, released 1,600 psi of pneumatic energy. Although the electrical motor to the equipment's Muller agitator was locked out, the dump door was left on in order to open and close the dump door to make adjustments. While adjusting the dump door, Employee #1 inadvertently contacted a limit switch, which caused the dump door to close. Employee #1 was struck by the ram of the pneumatic cylinder assembly that opened and closed the door of the agitator, pinning him against a beam and crushing his chest. Employee #1 was killed. The incident investigation revealed that the host employer did not develop specific lockout/tagout procedures for working on the dump door with the pneumatic energy on and did not inform the contractor about the limit switch and its function. The host employer's computer that controlled the operation of the Muller had been left in the "transfer on" position, thus allowing the limit switch to remain active.
Keywords: CHEST, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, PINNED, LOCKOUT, CRUSHED, STRUCK BY, PUNCTURE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 312950207 | Fatality | Puncture | Occupation not reported |