Oscar Pacheco: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Mar 21, 2014: Worker incurs multiple injuries when struck by falling tiles

At approximately 7:00 a.m. on March 21, 2014, Employee #1 and Coworker #1, emplo yed by a licensed sole proprietor tile contractor, and Coworker #2, their employ er, were working at a retail establishment that was undergoing renovations. They were delivering and unloading floor tiles in the alley behind the building and performing other tile-related work. The tiles were delivered in crates on a flat bed truck. Each tile measured 4 feet by 5 feet and weighed 200 to 250 pounds. Th ere were 19 tiles in each crate. According to Employee #1's subsequent statement , to move the tiles from the truck's flatbed to the inside of the retail site, t he three workers dismantled and removed the crates and unstrapped the bundles of tiles. Over the course of two days at the job site, their work included unloadi ng three crates. On March 21, 2014, there were five tiles to be removed from the truck. The first tile was removed, and Coworkers #1 and #2 took it inside the b uilding. Employee #1 remained alone at the truck, holding the tiles and waiting for his coworkers to return. As he waited, he attempted to position one of the t iles, so that it would be ready for removal from the truck. The tiles began to m ove, and Employee #1 was unable to control them. The remaining four tiles fell a nd struck Employee #1. Employee #1's right side landed on the bed of the truck, and the tiles landed on his left side. Employee #1 screamed for help. Some drywa ll workers who were on site and Coworkers #1 and #2 worked to free Employee #1 f rom under the tiles. Emergency services were called, and Employee #1 was transpo rted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where he was admitted and treated for soft tissue injuries to his left arm, left leg, left shoulder, and left hand. He remained h ospitalized for two days. This event was investigated by Cal/OSHA. At the time o f this report, Cal/OSHA planned to issue the following citations to the employer : Regulatory: 342(a)- Failure to report serious injury; General: 1509(a)- No Inj ury and Illness Prevention Program; General: 1509(c)- No Code of Safe Practices; Serious Accident-Related: 3704- For the unsecured load of floor tiles.