Griffith Company: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Oct 26, 2021: Two employees incur burns in lp-gas explosion

At 6:15 a.m. on October 26, 2021, two employees were starting-up an asphalt plant for the morning shift. While conducting start-up procedures and inspections, the employees discovered the ignitors to the west-side liquid propane gas (LP-Gas) vaporizers were not staying lit and began troubleshooting. The vaporizers are fed LP-Gas through steel piping connected to a storage tank 100 feet away, with pilot flames used to ignite the vaporizers that heat the dryer drum and liquid asphalt storage tanks. The employees locked out the electrical breaker switch for the affected vaporizer unit and turned the in-line valve to the closed position to block LP-Gas flow. The employees did not turn off the east-side LP-Gas vaporizer's pilot flame. Employee #1 opened the drip leg valve on the side of the vaporizer cabinet and burner pressure tap to relieve pressure and drain remaining LP-Gas. The employees decided to replace the existing magnetic plunger valve. Employee #2 went to retrieve a new plunger valve, while Employee #1 removed three of the valve's four bolts but had difficulty with the last bolt. Employee #2 had returned when Employee #1 removed the last of the four bolts which loosened the plunger valve, opened the valve and caused the release of LP-Gas trapped between in-line and plunger valves. Since the residual LP-Gas was under pressure, the released gas traveled quickly towards the east-side vaporizer cabinet. Because the east-side vaporizer pilot flame was lit, the gas ignited and exploded into a large fireball. Both employees caught on fire but were able to escape and roll on the ground to extinguish themselves. Two coworkers standing outside immediately responded to provide assistance by grabbing water and a fire extinguisher to put out the fire on the employees and surrounding equipment. First responders arrived and transported the employees to the hospital. Employee #1 and #2 sustained first, second and third degree burns and were admitted to the hospital.

Incident on Apr 24, 2017: Two employees suffer burns during overspill of hot oil and t

At 1:30 p.m. on April 24, 2017, two employees were performing a rubber asphalt 109 test for Caltrans. While pumping oil into a test tank, both employees suffered burns of varying severity on their hands when there was an overspill of oil and tar. Both employees were hospitalized and treated for their injuries. injuries.

Incident on Mar 4, 2010: Employee's foot is crushed by beam

On March 4, 2010, Employee #1 was working on the site of a road and bridge impro vement project. He was in a staging yard removing nails from lumber stored in th e yard. A coworker was operating a forklift truck in the area, moving steel beam s to another section of the yard for storage. The coworker was about to move a b eam close to where the employee was working, so he yelled to the employee to get out of the way. The employee heard the warning and moved out of the coworker's field of vision. The coworker picked up the steel beam with the forklift, but lo wered it to get it in a better position on the forks. Employee #1 walked back in to the area on the operator's right side, just as the beam that the coworker was manipulating dipped to the ground. The beam landed on Employee #1's right foot, crushing four of his toes. Employee #1 was hospitalized and underwent surgery o n his right foot.

Incident on Aug 21, 2009: Worker is injured after being struck by excavator

On August 21, 2009, Employee #1, of Griffith Company Incorporated, was working o n a road-widening and bridge improvement project. While walking on the site he w as struck by an excavator breaking several ribs and vertebrae. He was hospitaliz ed for his injuries.

Incident on Jul 22, 2009: Employee sustains heat-related illness

On July 22, 2009, Employee #1, a journeyman carpenter with Griffith Company (a b ridge construction contractor), was working outdoors in a hot environment buildi ng formwork at the Fairmont Avenue extension and bridge project. His tasks inclu ded hammering, plumbing and lifting line panels. When he reported heat cramps, h e was escorted to a shaded area. Employee #1 then drove home. Later that day, he was admitted to Kaiser Permanente Hospital for treatment a heat-related illness . Sufficient water supply and shade had been present at the worksite; however, t he employer failed to train its employees on heat illness prevention.

Incident on May 7, 1997: Employee's arm amputated in conveyor

Employee #1, a laborer, was working at a portable pavement crushing plant. Some steel reinforcing material from the concrete pavement became entangled between t he moving belt and pulley surface in the head pulley leading from the primary cr usher. Employee #1 had climbed to the pulley area to remove the steel when his l eft arm became caught and was amputated between the elbow and shoulder.