Inspection Detail

Inspection: 305474926 - Fmi International Corp

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 6:05 a.m. on January 6, 2004, and employee, a forklift driver was working under the direction and control of the shipping and warehousing company. He was using the forklift for transportation to and from a copy machine. The forklift was carrying no load. When the accident happened, the employee driving a Toyota forklift, Model Number 7FGCU15, Serial Number 63496, capacity 2400 lbs, was apparently not looking in the direction of travel and was exceeding a safe rate of speed. The employee drove the forklift into a roof support pole. The pole was bright yellow in color and the warehouse was well lighted. The pole was located in an area normally used for the storage of palletized loads, although at the time of the accident the area was open and clear. The pole was not in or alongside a normal aisle way. The impact point was 4.5 inches away from the center line of the 33-inch-wide forklift mast. The point of impact on the forklift came to rest 5-ft 5-in. from the pole. A skid mark was observed on the warehouse floor 2 ft 6 in. from the pole. The brakes of the forklift were tested and appeared to work adequately. The employee was found lying on the concrete floor next to the forklift. The forklift had a seat belt that appeared to be functional. No blood was observed at the site, so the point where the head injury occurred could not be determined. The employee died of head injuries on January 9, 2004.

Keywords: HEAD, STRUCK AGAINST, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, STRUCK BY, CONCUSSION