Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313063414 - Masonry Management, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Charlotte

Investigation Summary

On April 3, 2009, Employee #1 and a coworker were working beneath the cafeteria section of a building that was under construction. Above this section of where they were working thirteen deep long span steel joists had been se the day before. Each joist measured 101- feet long and weighed approximately 2,300 lbs. While they were discussing the job tasks for the day, one of the overhead joists fell, followed soon after by the other 12 joists. In an attempt to escape the area, Employee #1 was caught between the joists and the ground. Using a rough terrain forklift that was parked in a nearby doorway, the coworker lifted the joists and pulled Employee #1 from underneath the collapsed joists. Employee #1 was taken to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was hospitalized and treated for his injuries. The accident investigation determined that the joists were not properly installed, as designed by the site steel erection plan, which required bracing through connections at the each wall by way of metal seats. Additionally, there were wind gusts of up to 35 mph, which may have also been a contributing factor leading to the accident.

Keywords: STEEL BEAM, COLLAPSE, PINNED, CAUGHT BETWEEN, CRUSHED, UNSTABLE SURFACE, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT