Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313160624 - Control Components Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

At 6:30 a.m. on May 12, 2009, Employee #1, who was employed full-time by a supplier of severe service control valves for oil and gas producers, was working outside the shipping and receiving area of the employer's facility. Employee #1 had received a large crate shipped from Tijuana. By checking the paperwork, Employee #1 determined that the crate contained a bonnet weighing more than 500 pounds. The bonnet was packed upside down, with the lifting eye holes on the bottom of the crate. The part was packed with much side bracing but no underside blocking. Employee #1 determined that he needed to use a crane to remove the part from the crate. However, because the lifting eye holes were inaccessible and blocking of the part did not allow for easy use of a sling, he decided to try to tip the part with a 2 in. by 6 in. piece of wood. Employee #1 thought that tipping the part would allow him to slide a sling under it and lift it out with a crane. While trying to tip the part, the wood lever slipped, and Employee #1 lost his balance. He stepped his left leg back in a twisting motion, heard his bones crack, and slowly lowered himself to the ground. Employee #1 was transported to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA, where he underwent surgery on his fractured leg and was hospitalized. The immediate supervisor was on site but did not witness the incident. The Orange County Fire Authority reported the accident to the Division.

Keywords: BOARD, FRACTURE, LOST BALANCE, LEG