Inspection Detail

Inspection: 316344340 - Thomas Pottmeyer Company

Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on April 25, 2012, an employee was working for a property management company. He was removing dead foliage from one of six elevated planters, each with approximate dimensions of 3 feet by 20 feet (0.9 meters by 6.1 meters). To do this, he was using a Louisville Model Number L-2121-24 24-foot (7.3-meter) aluminum extension ladder. While standing on the planter, the employee placed one foot onto the ladder in order to descend. It slipped out from underneath him. His ribs struck against the corner of the planter, and he continued to fall approximately 9 feet (2.7 meters) to the concrete floor below. The employee was transported by ambulance to Huntington Hospital, where he received medical treatment for seven rib fractures, a bruised lung, and the laceration of his lower lip. He was discharged from the hospital on May 8, 2012. The employee did not tie, block, or otherwise secure the extension ladder so as to prevent it from slipping while in use.

Keywords: FRACTURE, LUNG, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, UNSECURED, LADDER, STRUCK AGAINST, RIB, FALL, SLIPPERY SURFACE, LOST BALANCE