Pickens Construction Inc: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Jun 13, 2017 (fatal): Employee struck in the head by a tailgate and later dies

At 10:15 a.m. on June 13, 2017, two employees were working to reinstall a tailgate on a 16 yard asphalt Heil Dump truck body attached to a Kenworth Dump Truck (Year: 2000; Model Number: T800; Vehicle Identification Number: 3BKDLBOX3YF860947). A base foreman and Employee #1 were using a Kamatsu (Model Number: PC240LC-11; Serial Number: A22111) excavator while attaching a 0.38 inch steel chain around the stick (part of the excavator that attaches to the bucket and other devices). The chain consisted of two hooks on each end that were connected to a projecting piece of metal welded on to the Heil tailgate. Employee #1 attached the chains while the operator suspended the tailgate in the air. Employee #1 backed the dump truck close enough to where the tailgate was suspended. He then exited the vehicle, walked behind the dump truck, and began pushing in on the bottom of the tailgate to maneuver it into position. As Employee #1 pushed the bottom of the suspended part and the operator lowered the tailgate, the top pins of the tailgate came in contact with the back top of the dump truck body. The chains loosened and eventually became unattached, causing the tailgate to fall backwards. Employee #1 was struck directly in the head, pinning his head between his legs. Employee #1 suffered a fractured right femur, fractured sternum, and blunt force trauma injuries to his head and chest, which he died.