Inspection Detail

Inspection: 317290955 - Lee Iron And Metal Company, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

On August 26, 2013, Employee #1, with Lee Iron and Metal Company, Inc., was using a forklift (Hyster 50 sit down rider) to move and stack bundled cubes of recycled insulated co-axial (coax) cable and insulated copper wire. The cubes weighed anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 lbs. Employee #1 had completed stacking one column, consisting of five cubes in height, along the northeast wall of the recycling warehouse. Employee #1 was beginning a new second column directly in front of the existing first column. Employee #1 placed the first cube of the second column tight against the bottom cube of the existing first column. Employee #1 then backed the forklift up, approximately 5 ft, and exited the forklift. Employee #1 then stepped in between the forklift and the cubes to either clean off the top from possible loose wires that created a hump or to place 4 ft by 4 ft dunnage so the next cube could be stacked. The five tier stack of cubes began to overturn. The first one went over Employee #1's head and settled on the forks. The second cube (weighing 1,948 lbs) struck Employee #1 on the left side of his face and upper torso and forced him back and down. Employee #1 was pinned between the first cube that fell and second cube. A third cube also fell, which struck Employee #1's legs. Employee #1 received a puncture wound to the right abdomen area which caused increased blood loss. According to the medical examiner's report, Employee #1 died at the scene from blunt force trauma to the head.

Keywords: HEAD, ABDOMEN, LOSS OF BLOOD, PINNED, WASTE PROC FAC, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, STRUCK BY, PUNCTURE, UNSTABLE LOAD