Creative Construction: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on May 21, 2004: Two employees injured when framed wall overturns on them

At 1:30 p.m. on May 21, 2004, Employees #1 and #2, both carpenters, were working on a large, custom-built home under construction in Murrieta, CA. They had lean ed a 33 ft long by 12 ft tall wood-framed wall built out of 2 in. by 4 in. studs against another outside framed wall while they built a different wall on the co ncrete slab. A gust of wind caused the unsupported and unattached wall to blow o ver, landing on the two workers. Employee #1 sustained a compound fracture to th e tibia and fibula of his right leg; Employee #2 suffered fractured ribs and che st abrasions. Paramedics responded and transported them to the Inland Valley Med ical Center, in Wildomar, California, where they were hospitalized.

Incident on Jul 17, 1995: Employee injures wrist/forehead in fall through skylight

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on July 17, 1995, Employee #1 was working on a roof n ear a 24 in. by 36 in. skylight opening. He was putting plywood sheets on the wa ll. As Employee #1 turned around, he stepped into the opening and fell 14 ft to the concrete. He sustained serious injuries to his wrists and forehead. He was h ospitalized for two days at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital. After the investigat ion, the employer was cited for a serious violation of T8CCR 1632(e). Other viol ations were found and the employer was cited accordingly.