Struck by dislodged or detached object(s) · Fractures and surface, flesh wounds
Final narrative
An employee was removing a section of fencing around a yard using a backhoe. The fence section had three rails (pipes) on each side of a center post. The far end of the rails had been torch-cut from their respective posts. Due to the tension from the backhoe, the connected portion of the pipe broke at the weld, causing the rail section to flip upward toward the back of the backhoe. One end of the pipe hit the ground at an almost straight-up angle and fell toward the seat where the employee was sitting. The end of the pipe that was torch cut edge struck the employee on top of his head on the left side, causing a contusion, a fracture, and a laceration. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was operating an ironworker (steel punching/shearing) machine. A piece of the tooling broke off and struck the employee's neck; a fragment was lodged in his neck. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.
A service crew was pulling a pump and motor from a well. After breaking a joint of pipe loose from another joint, an employee grabbed the chain tongs to prevent the pipe from spinning in the well, so the crew could continue taking it apart. The bolt that attaches the chain to the handle of the chain tongs broke, causing the chain to swing around and strike the employee's lower right leg. The chain severely punctured his leg and fractured his tibia.
An employee was using a handheld grinder to cut a bolt. The grinding wheel broke apart and a fragment struck the employee s right hand, causing a laceration to the palm near the little finger.
An employee was operating a brake press when the top die broke, causing the bottom die to roll out and onto the employee's legs. Both of the employee's legs were crushed below the knee, and both legs were partially amputated. The employee's left leg was also fractured above the knee.
A pressurized aircraft nose landing gear strut assembly was being disassembled. The gland nut dislodged under pressure and made contact with an employee's left hand, breaking it.