Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314824533 - O'Bryant Electric, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

On April 12, 2011, an employee was working as a journeyman electrician/wireman. The employee was assigned by his foreman to install flexible metal conduit above the T-bar ceiling at the southeast corner of the fifth floor. The worksite was an existing six-story office building which was being renovated for tenant improvement. The employee indicates that he asked the foreman for an 8ft. ladder because he could not reach the location above the T-bar with the six-foot ladder. The foreman told him to go to another floor to look for one, which he did. He returned to the location and began "shooting wires" into the concrete ceiling before he could "strap the conduit." He indicates that before lunch he had "shot" a line of ceiling wires and installed the flexible conduit on one line. After lunch, he came back and "shot ceiling wires" for the next line and started to install the flexible conduit. The height of the T-bar was at 8ft-9in., the ceiling wires were located about one foot above the T-bar, and the junction box was located another foot above the ceiling wire. He was in the process of "strapping the flexible conduit" when he fell off the step ladder. He indicates he was on the second step from the top of the ladder, fell 6ft. to the concrete floor and hit his head. This fall resulted in a fractured skull, swollen brain, and blood from the brain into his right ear. He also suffered a lower back fracture and right knee injury. The injured employee was hospitalized for seven weeks. He did not have surgery, but he was in critical care for three days, and lost hearing in his right ear. The injured employee was given daily speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental therapy during his stay in the hospital. He is still undergoing therapy two times a week, and may have surgery on his right knee in the future. No serious accident-related violation was determined.

Keywords: HEAD, STEPLADDER, ELECTRICIAN, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, CONCUSSION, BRAIN