Griffon Aerospace
Struck by object or equipment, n.e.c. — Fractures and dislocations — WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New Mexico
| Employer | Griffon Aerospace |
| Address | WSMR HELSTAF Range |
| City, State ZIP | WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New Mexico 88002 |
| Report ID | 2022010798 |
| Event Date | January 27, 2022 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized |
| Nature of Injury | Fractures and dislocations |
| Body Part | Hip(s) and leg(s) |
| Event Type | Struck by object or equipment, n.e.c. |
| Source of Injury | Aircraft, n.e.c |
| Industry (NAICS) | 488119 |
| Inspection # | 1575934 |
| GPS Coordinates | 32.38000, -106.49000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
Two employees were engaged in launch and recovery operations for a remote piloted aerial system. The aircraft was launched and employees were preparing for the aircraft to touch down. The pilot of the vehicle (employee 1) and an additional external operator (employee 2), who was observing recovery operations, were both standing along the flight line. Wind conditions at the time were variable and gusty, contributing to the incident. As the aircraft touched down there was a slight bounce, during which the control surfaces were rendered ineffective, and a crosswind pushed the aircraft into employee 2. The right wing tip of the aircraft struck employee 2 just above the right ankle, which caused him to fall to the ground. This caused the aircraft to spin on the ground, and the tail of the aircraft struck employee 1 in the knees. Employee 1 sustained bruising and swelling on both knees and was treated and released. Employee 2 was hospitalized and underwent surgery for a broken right lower leg, a dislocated hip replacement, and back injuries.
Incident Summary
On January 27, 2022, a worker at Griffon Aerospace in WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New Mexico suffered fractures and dislocations to the hip(s) and leg(s). The incident was classified as struck by object or equipment, n.e.c., with aircraft, n.e.c identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.
Context
OSHA has recorded 114 severe injury reports involving "Struck by object or equipment, n.e.c." incidents in our database. Browse all Struck by object or equipment, n.e.c. injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Struck by object or equipment, n.e.c. events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 2023 | TRM Innovative Hearth Products | RUSSELLVILLE, Alabama | Amputations | Amp. |
| Nov 24, 2015 | Sievert Electric Service & Sales Company | SKOKIE, Illinois | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Jun 4, 2020 | United Rentals Inc. | POMPANO BEACH, Florida | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Feb 25, 2015 | IntraWest Winter Park Operations Corporation | WINTER PARK, Colorado | Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury | Hosp. |
| Jan 19, 2015 | Handi-Foil Corp. | WHEELING, Illinois | Amputations | Amp. |
| Aug 10, 2016 | Walrmart #1761 | GRANITE CITY, Illinois | Traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified | Hosp. |
| Oct 14, 2015 | Masaba, Inc. | VERMILLION, South Dakota | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Mar 7, 2022 | General Dynamics - Nassco Norfolk | NORFOLK, Virginia | Internal injuries to organs and blood vessels of the trunk | Hosp. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Workers injured on the job have the right to medical treatment covered by workers' compensation, wage replacement benefits during recovery, and protection against retaliation for reporting the injury. You have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if you believe your workplace is unsafe, and OSHA cannot reveal your identity to your employer without your consent. You also have the right to see your OSHA 300 injury log. If your employer denies a workers' comp claim, you can appeal through your state's workers' compensation board. An occupational health attorney can advise on complex cases involving denied claims or third-party liability.
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.