Inspection Detail

Inspection: 316726470 - Kearneys' Metals, Inc,

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 7:00 a.m. on January 14, 2014, Employee #1 was working at a facility that was engaged in metals distribution and machine shop operations. He was repairing a Clark Graylift forklift (Model Number GPX 30, Serial Number GPX 230-0144-0735). Employee #1 had replaced the forklift motor into the forklift and had completed connecting all the hoses, wires and belts and put in all the fluids the day before the accident. However, the forklift would not start. Employee #1 with assistance from a coworker decided to replace the starter. Employee #1 could not remove the starter from the top side of the forklift. He asked the coworker to lift the right front side of the forklift with a 4-ton floor jack. The coworker placed two blocks of wood under the right front tire of the forklift to support it. Employee #1 then asked the coworker to remove the floor jack as it was in his way. Employee #1 placed a blue tarp on the ground and then pulled himself under the forklift by reaching under and holding onto the forklift. He had his head and arms under the forklift, when vehicle rolled back off the blocks. The forklift came down upon his head and pinned him to the ground. The coworker immediately used the 4-ton floor jack to lift the forklift from the rear and pulled Employee #1 out. The coworker then summoned emergency medical personnel. They arrived and transported him to a community regional medical center by ambulance. Employee #1 was admitted and treated for a laceration to the right side of the face, skull base fractures and right temporal pneumocephalus. He was hospitalized for two days for treatment of his injuries.

Keywords: FRACTURE, UNSECURED, PINNED, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, SKULL, STRUCK BY, FACE, FALLING OBJECT, JACK, UNSTABLE POSITION