Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311781660 - Whiting And Turner Construction Co

Inspection Information - Office: Va-E-Norfolk (Regional Office) - Safety 0355112

Investigation Summary

On January 15, 2008, workers from multiple companies were plumbing up a column for a screen wall at roof level. The columns for the screen wall were set and bolted to structural steel; the columns exterior line was designed to be framed in with steel tubing with welded, angle iron saddle, connections. The steel tubes were placed in the saddles using a crane-lift. Some of the tubes were cut loose from the crane-lift without being welded or otherwise secured in the saddles from displacement. Prior to the accident, a come-along was attached with chokers to one of the columns supporting an unsecured steel tube with a level. One worker gave instructions to another worker to tighten up on the come-along. The column was pulled out from under the unsecured steel tube which it was supporting. The unsecured steel tube, a Hollow Structural Section, measuring 27 ft 2 in. long by 0.25 in. thick, 12 in. by 6 in. (rounding 2 in. to 0.17 ft) and weighing 794 lbs (794.18 lbs) fell approximately 15 ft 1.50 in., striking Employee #1, an ironworker, on his head and driving him to the deck. The tube ended up on top of Employee #1 but was partially supported on one end by a lower steel tube which was in place. Employee #1 was wearing a hard hat and sustained a broken leg and possible broken ribs. Employee #1 was hospitalized.

Keywords: HEAD, STEEL TUBE, UNSECURED, IRON WORKER, LEG, FRACTURE, CONSTRUCTION, STEEL ERECTION, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT