Inspection Detail

Inspection: 126060110 - Orange County Plastering

Inspection Information - Office: Los Angeles District Office

Investigation Summary

On April 8, 2003, Employee #1 was working as a metal framer in Area C during the construction of a multi-story building. Metal scaffold was erected along the building. It was approximately 1:45 p.m. and Employee #1 was getting prepared to leave for the day. He was trying to reach the ground level to return his tools before the end of the shift. According to Employee #1, he was carrying the following objects, a screw gun, lunch box, and a jacket. Employee #1 approached the scaffold through the adjacent window and placed the miscellaneous items on the platform. The scaffold platform was located approximately 13 inches from the windowsill at a height of 13.5 feet. While placing the items Employee #1 lost balance and fell sideways through the opening, hitting the side of his rib area on the capped rebar which were located below the scaffold. According to a witness, Employee #1 climbed out of the window to access the scaffold to exit the building but slipped and fell sideways down to the ground onto the capped rebar. Employee #1 sustained fractured ribs and received lacerations on his left wrist and was hospitalized.

Keywords: FRACTURE, CONSTRUCTION, LACERATION, RIB, FALL, LOST BALANCE, SCAFFOLD, WRIST