Inspection Detail

Inspection: 301277471 - Ssa Terminal

Inspection Information - Office: High Hazard Unit - South

Investigation Summary

At approximately 11:10 a.m. on May 24, 2003, Employee #1 was unbolting detachable refrigeration units from unused shipping containers. He was standing halfway up on an 8-foot stepladder, unbolting one of the four bolts that secured the refrigeration unit to the container. His employer's operational procedure specified that the fork lift truck would be brought into position with the forks placed into the special holders at the bottom of the refrigeration unit, before the unit was disconnected. Unknown to Employee #1, the two bolts on the far side of the refrigeration unit had never been installed. The unit was held onto the container only by the two bolts on his side. When the first bolt on his side was removed, without any other supports, the unit swung down, pivoted around the remaining bolt, and struck Employee #1 on his side, smashing the ladder. He was knocked to the ground, falling approximately 5 feet. He landed on his side, which resulted in various bruises and strains to his side and legs. He was taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Long Beach, California, where he was treated and released approximately five hours later.

Keywords: UNSECURED, LADDER, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, STRUCK BY, CONTUSION, LEG