Inspection Detail

Inspection: 875803.015 - Bodine Services Of Decatur, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Peoria Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 2:30 p.m. on Feb 6, 2013, an employee was operating water blasting equipment from an Excel brand engineered scaffold inside a steel steep water separator. While working in the permit required confined space, the employee was attempting to clean product buildup on the walls and ceiling. Due to the fact that the water blasting equipment was operating at approximately 7,000 psi, the employee was wearing a hard hat, face shield, safety glasses, rubber metatarsal safety boots, rubber gloves, rain suit, and Turtle Skin brand protective clothing. The employee was also wearing fall protection, tied off to the scaffold. As the employee was water blasting the interior walls of the separator, product that was adhered to the ceiling of the separator became dislodged, allowing large chunks of product to fall and strike the employee and the scaffold. The scaffold collapsed and the employee fell 12 ft, landing on a support beam striking his chest and abdomen. The employee suffered blunt force trauma injuries including multiple fractures to the ribs, sternum and upper body. The employee was killed from positional asphyxia as his legs and lower torso hung down one side of the beam and his upper body over the other.

Keywords: Abdomen, Asphyxiated, Chest, Confined Space, Fall, Fall Protection, Falling Object, Rib, Scaffold, Struck By, Torso