Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313383622 - Bd&G Sandblasting Co

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At 5:45 a.m. on November 15, 2010, Employee #1 was working as a helper with BD & G Sandblasting, a company that engages in the removal of coatings and resurfacing of metal parts for the aerospace and automotive industries. On site activities include the use of sand and steel shot blasting as well as the use of industrial trucks. Employee #1 has been employed at BD & G Sandblasting for approximately 3 year and 8 months. At the time of the incident, Employee #1 was assisting a forklift operator to flip a 4,000 pound iron canning machine base, measuring approximately four-foot square by one-foot thick, from one of the four-foot square sides to the other. Using a Nissan industrial truck (Model Number MRG1F2A35LV), the forklift operator tilted the base up off of a pallet that it was resting on and attempted to stand it up on its one-foot edge. According to Employee #1, the pallet was blocking the path of travel of the forklift and the forklift operator attempted to push the pallet out of the way with the industrial truck. In doing so, Employee #1 stated that the industrial truck moved the pallet suddenly, causing the forklift to push the base over onto his legs. The forklift operator stated that the base was already standing on end and that Employee #1 attempted to pull the base toward him when it fell. The forklift operator was Employee #1's direct supervisor at the time of the incident. Cal/OSHA has determined that the incident was caused by the employees attempting to flip the metal base while Employee #1 was in the area where the base was to be placed. Due to conflicting statements, the exact cause for the metal base tipping over could not be determined. Employee #1 was hospitalized with a fractured leg.

Keywords: FRACTURE, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, PALLET, LEG