Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313222846 - Carolina Telephone And Telegraph Company Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

On May 13, 2009, Employee #1 was lifting a two-piece fiberglass/cement lid (2.5 ft by 4.5 ft) from a box buried in the ground in order to work on cable splices inside the box. Employee #1 removed approximately 6 to 8 ins. of dirt from the box to access the lid. During this task, Employee #1 slipped and fell. Employee #1 fractured his left hip. He underwent surgery to repair the fracture, which included replacement of a prior total left hip replacement. Employee #1was hospitalized until his discharge to a rehabilitation center on June 1, 2009. Approximately one week after being discharged from the rehabilitation center, Employee #1 experienced shortness of breath. He collapsed on June 16, 2009, and emergency medical assistance was called. Employee #1 was transported to a hospital, but he could not be resuscitated. The autopsy report cited the cause of death as acute pulmonary thromboembolism due to recent hip replacement/repair surgery following Employee #1's fall at work.

Keywords: BLOOD CLOT, FRACTURE, COMMUNICATION CABLE, FALL, HIP