Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311958565 - Deep South Crane And Rigging Co.

Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on July 18, 2008, Employee #1 was operating a VERSACRANE Model Number TC36000 crane. The crane was being boomed-up to attach auxiliary counterweights when the main boom overloaded and collapsed backwards onto the mast and spar hitting a TEREX DEMAG Model Number 2400 crane. The TC36000 crane was to be used to lift the coker-drums out for a maintenance activity. Employee #2 was operating the TEREX DEMAG crane when the TC36000 craned collapsed onto the DEMAG. Employee #1 fell out of the cab of the crane and received fatal injuries. Employee #2 tried escape and was struck by the collapsing machinery and received fatal injuries. Employee #3 and Employee #4 were working in a JLG lift trying to put pins into the pop sickle sticks and to adjust the auxiliary counter weight tray. When the main boom collapse backwards, Employee #3 and Employee #4 were tied-off in the JLG lift and were ejected out of the lift onto the ground and received fatal injuries. Employee #5 was a lineman trying to disconnect power and had to jump from his bucket truck to try to avoid being hit by the crane. Employee #5 received injuries requiring hospitalization. Other employees at the site received injuries as a result of trying to run and evacuate the area but did not receive over-night hospitalization. Employee #5 and the other employees mentioned as receiving minor injuries were not listed in the Injury line section of the original report.

Keywords: COLLAPSE, CRANE BOOM, CRANE COUNTERWEIGHT, CRANE OPERATOR, CRANE