Construction Injury Newsroom

The Rod Penetrated Approximately 8 Inches Into The Victim's Body

For the 2 weeks prior to the incident, the company owner, a crew foreman (the victim), and three workers were involved in the construction of the steel "I"-beam framework of a mini-mall. The mini-mall, when completed, would consist of two structures located 5 feet apart and joined together in the front by a canopy.

Two crews were doing separate jobs. Steel erectors were constructing the steel framework while block masons were digging ditches and placing concrete footing for the side walls of the mini-mall. At 36-inch intervals, 1/2-inch-diameter steel reinforcement rods protruded vertically 18 inches upward from the footing. The ditch was approximately 80 feet long.

The crew had completed work on the first structure and on the morning of the incident were continuing construction on the second structure. The first task of the day was to install a 20-foot-long, 8-inch "I" beam approximately 17 feet above ground between two columns. Standard procedure called for the beam to be lifted into place by a crane. Two workers would then use ladders to reach the ends of the beam and make the connections. On this occasion, however, instead of using ladders to reach the connection points, the victim and a co-worker sat on opposite ends of the beam while it was lifted into position. Neither man was using fall protection devices. The company owner, operating the crane, raised the beam into position directly above the ditch containing the concrete footing.

When the beam was in position, the co-worker grasped a column and prepared to make the connection. As he reached behind himself to grab his wrench from his belt, the wire rope choker supporting the beam slid toward the victim. The co-worker lost his balance and fell from the beam into the 3-foot-deep ditch containing the concrete footing. The victim slid toward the connecting collar causing the beam to stand straight up. The victim then fell from the beam, and landed in the ditch on his right side, impaled on the 1/2-inch reinforcement rod.

The reinforcement rod penetrated approximately 8 inches into the victim's body and pierced his heart. The emergency medical service (EMS) was summoned and arrived in approximately 10 minutes. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The co-worker was also transported to the hospital where he was treated and later released.

Cause of Death

The medical examiner listed the cause of death as exsanguination due to a penetrating injury caused by the reinforcement rod.