Inspection Detail

Inspection: 119762920 - Simpson Timber Co

Inspection Information - Office: Redding District Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, a heavy duty mechanic in a shop behind a sawmill and logging operation, wanted to send the core of a spare radiator for the Letourneau log loading machine to a radiator shop in town. This required that he remove the shroud that he had previously tack-welded onto the radiator. With the approximately 600 lb radiator on the floor, he started by using a portable grinder to grind the welds, and then a hammer and chisel to break higher up. Employee #1 then used a chain with hooks at each end to raise one side of the radiator about 16 in. off the floor. He completed that side, then lowered it and raised the other side of the radiator. He completed the grinding and was using the hammer and chisel when one of the hooks came off and the radiator fell on both of his feet, just above the toes. He sustained multiple fractures in both feet. The radiator had mounted tabs that extended 2 in. below the corners, and these kept the radiator from amputating Employee #1's feet. Causal factors in this accident included (1) working under a suspended load, and (2) using hooks that went into mounting tabs in the horizontal position and then pivoted toward the floor when the radiator was raised.

Keywords: FRACTURE, UNSECURED, WORK RULES, MECHANIC, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, LOGGING, FOOT, UNSTABLE LOAD