Caterpillar Inc.

Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment 6 to 30 feet — Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures — DECATUR, Illinois

HOSPITALIZED — Worker hospitalized after incident at Caterpillar Inc. in DECATUR, Illinois
Employer Caterpillar Inc.
Address 27th St & E Pershing Rd
City, State ZIP DECATUR, Illinois 62526
Report ID 2024021681
Event Date February 23, 2024
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures
Body Part Forehead, temple(s)
Event Type Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment 6 to 30 feet
Source of Injury Elevators, hoists, lifts unspecified
Secondary Source Other constructed surface
Industry (NAICS) 333131
Inspection # 1734285
GPS Coordinates 47.15000, -116.43000

Location Map

Incident Narrative

At 8:43 a.m. on February 23, 2024, an employee was in an elevated positioning basket, painting a strut inside a paint booth, when the basket's mounting bracket broke away from the wall. The employee and the basket fell to the ground about 7 feet below. During the fall, the employee struck their head on an object within the paint booth and suffered a head laceration above the eyebrows. The employee was hospitalized.

Incident Summary

On February 23, 2024, a worker at Caterpillar Inc. in DECATUR, Illinois suffered cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures to the forehead, temple(s). The incident was classified as fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment 6 to 30 feet, with elevators, hoists, lifts unspecified identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 187 severe injury reports involving "Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment 6 to 30 feet" incidents in our database. Browse all Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment 6 to 30 feet injuries.

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Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment 6 to 30 feet events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
Jul 28, 2025 Verizon LIVERPOOL, New York Fractures Hosp.
Aug 29, 2024 Huntley's Home Services GONZALES, Louisiana Intracranial injuries unspecified Hosp.
Feb 21, 2025 RAY BROS., INC. DOTHAN, Alabama Cerebral and other intracranial hemorrhages without skull fracture Hosp.
May 16, 2024 Raymond E. Kelley, Inc. BUFFALO, New York Cerebral and other intracranial hemorrhages without skull fracture Hosp.
Nov 27, 2024 The Enterprise Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. of Dayton, Ohio DAYTON, Ohio Closed trauma involving internal organs, major blood vessels Hosp.
Jul 15, 2024 Bova Construction Co, Inc. DEERFIELD, New Hampshire Fractures Hosp.
Mar 5, 2025 Prism Electric Inc. DFW AIRPORT, Texas Fractures Hosp.
Sep 25, 2024 G. S. & S. Construction BRENTWOOD, Missouri Injuries to the brain, spinal cord and severe wounds, internal injuries 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.

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