Fall through surface or existing opening 11 to 15 feet · Concussions
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Independence Excavating Inc., 1708 Southpoint Dr., CLEVELAND, OHIO 44109
on — Concussions, affecting the brain.
Final narrative
An employee was operating a mini excavator, removing a floor slab in the west annex of the green mile. The floor slab gave way, and the excavator fell one floor. The employee sustained a concussion and a severe laceration to the right forearm.
HospitalizedBrainFloor, n.e.c.
More severe injuries at Independence Excavating Inc.
An employee was working on a radiator. On removing the radiator cap, the employee was sprayed with hot water and suffered burns to the hand and abdomen.
An employee was checking an HVAC unit in the attic when they fell approximately 15 feet through the rafters to the floor. The employee sustained fractures to the ribs and scapula as well as a collapsed lung.
An employee was removing grating to change metal chip hoppers located in a pit. The employee lost his balance and fell approximately 12 feet from the grate, landing in the metal chip hopper. The employee sustained a sprained right foot, a left foot fracture, and a fractured L5 vertebra.
An employee was reviewing the next steps to take with the foreman when some material fell from above and landed near them. The injured employee then looked up, took a step on the catwalk, and fell through a gap, landing on the ground 15 feet below. The employee sustained three fractured vertebrae and a head laceration.
0n November 16, 2023, an employee was climbing onto a catwalk to cut valves for unit heaters in a building. The employee fell 14 feet through the attic onto the concrete floor, resulting in a fractured pelvis.
An employee was removing a rooftop curb when they fell approximately 15 feet through an opening in the roof, resulting in a fractured leg that required hospitalization.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 238910)
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On October 30, 2025, an employee was working to adjust a stackable metal shipping container. As the container dropped into place, it caught the employee's hands in an area between the upper and lower cross-members. The employee suffered a laceration to the left ring finger that required stitches, bruising to the right ring finger, and fractures to the right middle finger that necessitated medical amputation of the fingertip.
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