Inspection Detail

Inspection: 316518067 - Aj Vasconi Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

On July 13, 2012, Employee #1, a labor foreman for AJ Vasconi, Inc., was working at a bridge construction project in Smartsville, CA. He was disassembling the form scaffold on a pier wall by removing nails from the planking and scaffold jack system. After lowering one of the 2 foot by 12 foot planks, Employee #1 stepped back onto the other plank that was cantilevered over the bracket. This second plank, which had been previously secured by nails, teetered over, causing Employee #1 to lose his footing. Employee #1 fell approximately 13 feet to the ground below. He required hospitalization for a ruptured intestine and an elbow laceration. Employee #1 was trained and experienced in the erection and dismantling of the scaffold system in use. However, the scaffold had been erected by a coworker, who was trained as a "bridge carpenter" by the union hall. According to the employer, a general engineering contractor, such training should have included the use of similar types of formwork/false work scaffolding. The employer stated the company had not trained the coworker on the company's erection procedures prior to the accident.

Keywords: ABDOMEN, DISMANTLING, CONSTRUCTION, RUPTURE, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, ELBOW, LOST BALANCE, UNTRAINED, SCAFFOLD