Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 105324222 - Ab Frame Tech Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Or-E-Salem 1054100

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEE #1 WAS EMPLOYED AS A ROOFER AND FOREMAN. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT HIS CREW WAS INSTALLING A LOW PITCH BUILT-UP ROOF ON A TWO STORY BUILDING. THE WORKERS HAD JUST STARTED WORK ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. EMPLOYEE #1 AND THREE OTHERS WERE PREPARING TO LOAD MATERIALS ONTO THE ROOF FROM A CRANE. EMPLOYEE #1 PICKED UP A PALLET, UNAWARE THAT IT WAS COVERING A ROOF OPENING. HE STEPPED UP TO THE PALLET, WITHOUT LOOKING, AND FELL THROUGH THE OPENING, 19 FEET TO THE NEXT FLOOR. HE SUFFERED A FRACTURED PELVIS, FRACTURED WRIST, AND A BUMP ON THE HEAD. THE OPENING THROUGH WHICH HE FELL HAD BEEN CUT THE DAY BEFORE, THEN COVERED BY A PIECE OF PLYWOOD. SUBSEQUENTLY, A CARPENTER HAD REPLACED THE PIECE OF PLYWOOD WITH A PALLET. THE PALLET WAS NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR USE AS A FLOOR HOLE COVERING. IT WAS NOT SECURED IN PLACE, NOR WAS A WARNING SIGN PROVIDED. THERE HAD BEEN NO INSPECTION OF THE WORK AREA PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF WORK. EARLIER, TWO OTHER WORKERS, AN ELECTRICIAN AND A WELDER FROM OTHER COMPANIES, HAD CLOSE CALLS AT THE SAME FLOOR OPENING. NEITHER WORKER HAD TAKEN STEPS TO CORRECT THE HAZARD.

Keywords: HEAD, UNGUARDED FL OPENING, PELVIS, FALL, WRIST, WORK RULES, FRACTURE, ROOF, CONSTRUCTION