Inspection Detail

Inspection: 303605828 - Anchor Sandblasting And Painting, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Tampa Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 11:20 p.m. on June 5, 2000, Employee #1, a member of a shipyard crew, was erecting sandblasting containment equipment prior to working on the vessel Europa Sky, which was already in position #2 in the dry dock. He was crossing over a 16 in. to 20 in. wide opening between the dry dock and an access barge when he fell down between them. Employee #1 caught himself or otherwise became caught and arrested his fall when he was was at approximately chest height. He clambered out of the opening, reported that he felt fine and continued working. His employer suggested that he go to the hospital and get checked out, but he said he wanted to go home and coworkers drove him there. Employee #1 continued to be in pain and eventually was taken to the hospital. He arrived at the hospital at 2:00 a.m., was examined, and was then released at 5:30 a.m. He continued to experience pain at home, and at 11:21 a.m. an ambulance came to the house, but he refused to be transported. He continued to complain of abdominal pain and constipation, and vomited several times during that day and night. At approximately 7:15 a.m. on June 7, 2000, Employee #1's girlfriend found him dead in his bed. The medical examiner determined that the causes of death were a ruptured intestine and peritonitis, caused by blunt impact.

Keywords: SHIPYARD, DOCK, CONSTRUCTION, RUPTURE, CAUGHT BETWEEN, CRUSHED, INFECTION, FALL, STOMACH