Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at BlueLinx Corporation, 1680 N Aspen Ave, BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA 74012
on — Fractures , affecting the Back lumbar region.
Final narrative
Four employees were working to reset a metal tubing rack (weighing approximately 150 pounds) into a stable position after observing that the rack was leaning. The empty racking slipped and fell toward the employees. The tubing struck an employee in the back resulting in fractures to their L1 and L2 vertebrae.
Hospitalized Back lumbar region Shelves, shelving, racks
An employee and a co-worker were unloading units that were stacked inside an import container and then loading the units onto forklifts. One stack would not slide out. The co-worker lifted the top four units as the employee fed a cinch strap into place, so it could be used to pull the material out. The strap was secured to the forklift. The employee was readjusting the strap when the forklift moved. The cinch strap was pulled from the employee's hand, resulting in amputation of the right index fingertip and loss of the nail.
An employee was on warehouse racking during disassembly when a front piece of the racking swung out and the deck boards gave way, allowing the employee to fall approximately 6 feet to the ground. The employee suffered a fractured right leg.
An employee was walking past a crossover conveyor when a ramp came down and hit them in the back. The employee sustained a broken back vertebra, as well as a concussion, and was hospitalized.
An employee was unloading frameless mirrors from a trailer. When unstrapped, the mirrors fell over onto the employee, who suffered a skull fracture, a brain bleed and blood clot, a broken left ankle, and lacerations.
A temporary employee was rigging secondary steel when the steel joist fell to the ground and struck his lower left leg, resulting in fractures to the tibia and fibula.
Two maintenance employees were dismantling a machine part (steel cylindrical rollers) on the ground. After unbolting a portion, part of the assembly fell approximately 6 inches onto one employee's left little finger. The employee was hospitalized and about 3/4" of their little finger above the top joint was surgically amputated.
An employee was walking down the off ramp from a box truck, carrying a door for delivery. A strong wind caught the door, causing the employee to lose balance and fall about 2 to 3 feet to the ground. He landed on his back and suffered a broken vertebra.
An employee was delivering lumber to a customer's job site. He was using a truck-mounted forklift to transport the material to the staging area. The surface of the path of travel changed from asphalt to soil and rock with a slight downward grade. When the forklift moved onto the softer surface, it sank into the ground and its center of gravity shifted forward, causing it to tip over. The employee's right arm sustained a closed, supracondylar humerus fracture.
An employee was helping two forklift operators move and inventory flat sheet metal that was staged on racks. The metal fell off one side and struck the employee's arms and abdomen. The employee sustained a laceration above the left eye, a left forearm injury, and a ruptured spleen. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.
An employee was helping to move a 1,300-pound coil on a cart. The steel caster hit a crack in the concrete, the weld holding the caster onto the cart broke, and the coil and cart tipped over onto the employee. He was hospitalized with a laceration on his forehead and a pelvic fracture on his right side.
An employee was working in the food service warehouse when he experienced chest pain, difficulty breathing, and lost consciousness. The employee sustained carbon monoxide poisoning.
An employee was cutting a piece of metal rod with a metal cutting machine. His right middle finger became caught between the rod and the machine's table. The employee's fingertip was partially amputated.
An employee was working at her desk. She went to stand up and fell to the floor beside the desk. The employee sustained a hip displacement and required surgery.
An employee was processing wood boards at a chop saw when the saw malfunctioned and the blade cut her left hand and fingers. She was hospitalized and her little finger was surgically amputated.