Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313382111 - Sunbeam Design & Development

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 11:00 a.m. on February 16, 2010, Employee #1 was positioned approximate 5 to 10 feet above ground level and positioned on a job-made wooden ladder in the process of nailing a sheet of plywood using a nail gun. As the work was being done, the scaffold platform shifted, causing Employee #1 to fall approximately 5 to 10 feet to ground level. The job made wooden single level scaffold contained no guardrails, an unsafe means of access, non-scaffold grade materials, approximately 14 to 20 feet long single unsecured plank walking surface containing a nailed in vertical stilt support at or near the center and 2 by 6 wood pieces nailed to the ends of the scaffold. Employee #1 was transported by his coworker to a California Hospital and admitted the same day. Employee #1 sustained a broken right ankle. Employee #1 received three surgeries in the hospital. He was discharged at 7:00 p.m. on February 18, 2010. The causal factor of the accident was the employer did not ensure that a scaffold of adequate objects and support was provided as to eliminate the hazards of employees falling off the scaffold for the work to be done safely. The employer contends that Employee #1 fell 4 to 5 feet. Employee #1 contends that he fell 10-feet. The employer contends that a supervisor built the scaffold. The supervisor contends that Employee #1 built the scaffold. Employee #1 contends that his helper built the scaffold. The employer is a general contractor in the business of constructing residential and commercial buildings. The accident occurred at the east exterior side of a two-story residential home.

Keywords: FRACTURE, PPE, UNSECURED, LADDER, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, UNGUARDED, ANKLE, SCAFFOLD, SCAFFOLDING