Inter-SKY Inc: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Dec 2, 2004: Employee is injured in fall from balcony

At 7:00 a.m. on December 2, 2004, Employee #1, a construction laborer, was insta lling new windows for a complex as part of an extensive remodeling project of a three-block long, four-story condominium complex. Employee #1 accessed the windo ws that needed replacing by climbing a ladder that another employee was holding. A majority of the building had scaffolding installed that was barricaded with a sheer drop that extended to the ground. However, there was about an 8-foot wide section located at the front of the building that did not have the same rigging . No scaffolding had been planned for this area, and the guardrails had been tak en down to be replaced, due to rotting that occurred from being exposed to the s ea air. As he completed installing new windows in one of the units, located on t he third floor of the complex, he descended the ladder to the balcony below. He backed up and fell 9 feet, 10 inches over the side of the balcony. The other emp loyee grabbed Employee #1's arm but could not hold him. Employee #1 bounced off several protruding objects on the way down, which included a 4 by 4 post that br oke his ribs, damaged several internal organs, and collapsed one of his lungs. H e then landed on his back on a balcony below, striking his head. Emergency servi ces were contacted, and Employee #1 was transported to Little Company of Mary Ho spital in Torrance, California, where he was hospitalized and treated for broken ribs, a bruised kidney, a collapsed lung, and a concussion.