Merfish Pipe & Supply
Struck by falling object or equipment, n.e.c. - Amputations, avulsions, enucleations, n.e.c. - HOUSTON, Texas
| Employer | Merfish Pipe & Supply |
| Address | 1211 Kress St. |
| City, State ZIP | HOUSTON, Texas 77020 |
| Report ID | 20161110421 |
| Event Date | November 4, 2016 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized, Amputation |
| Nature of Injury | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations, n.e.c. |
| Body Part | Upper and lower limb(s) |
| Event Type | Struck by falling object or equipment, n.e.c. |
| Source of Injury | Bundles, bales |
| Secondary Source | Forklift, order picker, platform truck-powered |
| Industry (NAICS) | 423510 |
| Inspection # | 1190045 |
| GPS Coordinates | 29.76707, -95.30732 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
An employee and a coworker were working to move a stack of pipes. The coworker was operating a forklift and taking layers of bundled pipe from off the stack and moving it to another area. The employee was placing wood boards between the layers of pipe on the new stack being made. During this operation, the employee on the ground walked behind the taller stack of bundled pipes to recover some more wood for the next layer of pipe; at the same time, the coworker was using the forklift to pick up the next layer to be moved. One of the forks on the forklift knocked one of the bundles of pipe from the next lower layer, causing it to hit the employee in the arm and foot, causing a skin and muscle avulsion on his arm and crushing/amputating his foot.
Incident Summary
On November 4, 2016, a worker at Merfish Pipe & Supply in HOUSTON, Texas suffered amputations, avulsions, enucleations, n.e.c. to the upper and lower limb(s). The incident was classified as struck by falling object or equipment, n.e.c., with bundles, bales identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized, amputation.
Context
OSHA has recorded 1,936 severe injury reports involving "Struck by falling object or equipment, n.e.c." incidents in our database. Browse all Struck by falling object or equipment, n.e.c. injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Struck by falling object or equipment, n.e.c. events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2016 | LKQ Western Truck Parts | HENDERSON, Colorado | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Apr 17, 2020 | Mid-Continent Rental Company | OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma | Internal injuries to organs and blood vessels of the trunk | Hosp. |
| Oct 6, 2020 | Cascade Drilling | KEARNEYSVILLE, West Virginia | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Dec 7, 2021 | Newport News Shipbuilding Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries | NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Nov 11, 2019 | Sabic | BAY SAINT LOUIS, Mississippi | Amputations | Hosp., Amp. |
| Mar 24, 2016 | ABC Supply Co., Inc. | TOLEDO, Ohio | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Nov 12, 2015 | Ninnescah Drilling LLC | HOISINGTON, Kansas | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Jun 27, 2016 | CMC Recycling Lubbock | LUBBOCK, Texas | Fractures | Hosp. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Workers who suffer amputations on the job are generally entitled to workers' compensation benefits covering all medical treatment, prosthetics, rehabilitation, and a portion of lost wages. Many states also provide scheduled permanent disability benefits for the loss of a limb or digit, a fixed payment based on the specific body part affected. In cases where employer negligence was egregious or equipment was defective, a personal injury lawsuit against a third party (the equipment manufacturer) may be possible in addition to workers' comp. An attorney specializing in workers' compensation can advise on available options. Report the injury to OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA within 24 hours.
After an employer reports a severe injury, OSHA decides whether to conduct an on-site inspection. Fatalities and amputations typically trigger automatic inspections. For hospitalizations and eye loss events, OSHA may conduct a phone/fax investigation or an on-site inspection based on the circumstances. During an inspection, OSHA compliance officers assess the accident scene, interview witnesses, review safety records, and identify violations. Citations and penalties may be issued. OSHA also works with the employer to abate hazardous conditions. All inspection results are published in OSHA's public inspection database at osha.gov.
You can file an OSHA complaint online at osha.gov/workers/file-complaint, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or by visiting your local OSHA area office. Complaints can be filed anonymously. OSHA prioritizes formal written complaints from workers. If you believe an imminent danger exists, call OSHA immediately, they are required to investigate immediately when there is reasonable grounds to believe imminent danger exists. Workers are protected from retaliation for filing complaints under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act; if you experience retaliation, file a separate complaint within 30 days of the adverse action.
About This OSHA Report
This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.