Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314823055 - Stoneart Marble & Granite, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

On November 4, 2010, Employee #1, a driver, was picking up an order from Tri-Stone Marble. The item to be picked up was a limestone slab, measuring 110 inches by 65 inches, weighing approximately 521 pounds. Employee #1 arrived at the company, parked his truck in the back yard, and went into the warehouse, where he was directed by an employee to go into the office and give them the Bill of Lading for the order. According to Employee #1, he then returned to the warehouse area and was directed by the manager to give the order slip to the forklift operator who was already at the area where the slab was located. Employee #1 went over to where the forklift operator was located and gave him the order. The forklift operator and another employee began to pick up the slab using the forklift with the attachment for picking up slabs. Employee #1 walked over to the slab to look at it after it had been picked up. The forklift operator backed the forklift with the slab attached down the aisle towards the open warehouse receiving door. The other employee was located at the front of the slab to the right side of the slab and holding it to keep the slab from swinging out as it was carried by the forklift. Employee #1 indicates that he was located at the back end of the slab and was holding on to it and walking along to help keep the slab from swinging when the forklift rolled into the back of his right foot as it drove through the door. The forklift operator disputes this and indicates that Employee #1 was located just outside the door when he approached the door with the forklift and he saw Employee #1 standing there to the side. The forklift operator proceeded to drive the through the door, and almost immediately he saw Employee #1 walk in front of the forklift between the slab and the front wheels. The forklift operator immediately pushed on the brakes, but the front wheels rolled against the right foot of Employee #1, and he was knocked to the floor. The forklift operator immediately got off the forklift and ran to Employee #1 who was saying his foot hurt. The forklift operator called the office and told them to call emergency services. The paramedics came and Employee #1 was taken to Northridge Hospital where he had surgery on his right foot, with a pin inserted in the big toe and a plate inserted in his heel. Employee #1 was hospitalized for six days.

Keywords: DRIVER, CRUSHED, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, STRUCK BY, FOOT