Performance Mechanical, Inc.: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Apr 25, 2013: Employee falls and strikes head on pipe and is injured

At approximately 7:30 a.m. on April 25, 2013, Employee #1, a pipe fitter, was ch ecking for leaks on a 20 in. heavy crude pipe located on a ground level pipe rac k. He was wearing all required personnel protective equipment, hard hat, safety glasses, safety boots and Nomex gloves. The pipe ran from a wharf to a tank farm . He worked for a mechanical contractor that specialized in industrial construct ion services, including mechanical construction, plant maintenance, facilities s ervices, process piping installation, service and repair. Employee #1 was conduc ting a hydro test on the piping. The hydro test involved the pressurization of a pipe with water to assess all flanges, thermal and pressure wells, welds and ot her attachments/line additions for leaks. To access the 20 in. pipe, he stepped from atop an 8 in. line onto the 20 in. pipe. As he did this, Employee #1 struck his head on an overhead piping and fell approximately 24 in. to the ground. He also struck a pipe support column in the fall and sustained an open tibia and fi bula dislocation to his left leg. Employee #1 contacted his supervisor via radio . Emergency services were activated and emergency responders provided basic life support upon arrival. Employee #1 was transported to a medical center for furth er treatment, including surgery and was then hospitalized in excess of 24 hours. He was wearing all required personnel protective equipment, hard hat, safety gl asses, safety boots and Nomex gloves. Employee #1 may have misjudged the hazard of the overhead 8 in. pipe and may not have seen the pipe due the brim of his ha rd hat obstructing his view, when climbing to the 20 in. pipe.