Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120322508 - Cutting Edge Concrete Cutting

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

On November 20, 2005, Employee #1, a concrete cutter, was working at a brewery, assisting in the repair of a broken water main. He began cutting the asphalt, using a 35-hp gas self-propelled saw. He cut an area about 15 ft by 20 ft to expose the broken water main. Soon after completing the cut, another contractor arrived at the site to excavate the area to reach the pipes. The excavation was approximately 4 feet deep. After the pipe was exposed, the water was pumped out, using an electric submersible pump. Employee #1 used two slings to support the pipe on both ends by tying the slings around the pipe and attaching the slings to the bucket of the backhoe. He entered the excavation area and began cutting the pipe. He was using a Stihl hand operated concrete cutting saw. Employee #1 completed the cuts on one side of the pipe, and began the cuts on the other side of the pipe. As he began the final cut, the blade of the saw became wedged in a piece of the damaged pipe, causing the blade to abruptly stop, and forced the saw back into his face. His face was hit by the air filter unit on top of the saw. This impact caused a fracture of the cheek bone and severe laceration to the right side of his face. Employee #1 was wearing safety goggles at the time. Paramedics were called and the employee was transported to Northridge Hospital, where he was hospitalized for two days and had surgery to close the laceration on his face, and repair his fractured cheekbone.

Keywords: EXCAVATION, FRACTURE, SAW, LACERATION, STRUCK BY, WATER PIPE, HAND TOOL, FACE