Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310064241 - Western States Glass

Inspection Information - Office: Oakland District Office

Investigation Summary

On June 5, 2008, Employee #1, a glass cutter assistant, was working near large, thin glass sheets stored on a metal rack when a section of a stored glass sheet fell on him. The metal rack had only one shelf, which was approximately 35 in. from the floor. The glass sheets were approximately 96-in. by 130-in. and were stacked in a vertical position with a tilt of approximately 5 degrees. The glass sheets were 0.375-in. thick and each glass sheet weighed approximately 350 pounds. Immediately prior to the accident, Employee #1 was on the north side of the glass sheets to assist coworkers removing a group of stacked glass sheets from the metal rack. The employees intended to remove the sheets with slings connected to a forklift, which was operated by one of the coworkers. After slings were rigged to the outer group of stacked glass sheets on the metal rack, a glass sheet, which was not part of the group being removed and not touching the group, had a section break from the top corner and fall on Employee #1. The glass sheet that broke was not being handled by any employee when the accident occurred. Pieces of the broken section were wedged in Employee #1's back. Employee #1 suffered lacerations to the back. Employee #1 was hospitalized for treatment that included surgery, antibiotics, and blood transfusions. Employee #1 was hospitalized until June 9, 2008.

Keywords: BACK, LACERATION, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT