Inspection Detail

Inspection: 112012810 - Western Foundations & Shoring, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:25 p.m. on June 5, 1992, Employee #1, a drilling oiler, was directing an auger spin-out operation. A crew was drilling caisson holes for a swimming pool deck at a private residence in La Jolla, CA. Employee #1 was walking backward when he stepped into a pothole or depression and slipped. The operator stopped the drill swing to keep it from striking Employee #1. The sudden stopping of the rig caused it to become unstable and fall over, striking Employee #1's right arm. He suffered a compound fracture of his forearm and a dislocated right elbow. The drill operator administered first aid while the pool construction superintendent called 911. Paramedics arrived in about 15 minutes and transported Employee #1 to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. One of the tracks of the tractor that was being used to drill the holes had been placed on light plywood that covered the previously-drilled holes. This caused the rig to become unstable and fall when the operator stopped the drill swing.

Keywords: FRACTURE, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, DISLOCATED, UNSTABLE SURFACE, DRILL RIG--NON-OIL, STRUCK BY, ELBOW, OVERTURN, UNSTABLE POSITION