Gerlach's Property Maintenance, LLC

Injured by object held or wielded by person — Avulsions, enucleations without bone loss — ERIE, Pennsylvania

LOSS OF EYE — Worker lost an eye at Gerlach's Property Maintenance, LLC in ERIE, Pennsylvania
Employer Gerlach's Property Maintenance, LLC
Address 2727 West 18th Street
City, State ZIP ERIE, Pennsylvania 16505
Report ID 20241211782
Event Date December 20, 2024
Outcome Hospitalized, Eye Loss
Nature of Injury Avulsions, enucleations without bone loss
Body Part Eye(s)
Event Type Injured by object held or wielded by person
Source of Injury Wrenches, ratchets
Secondary Source Secondary source not applicable
Industry (NAICS) 561730
Inspection # 1794872
GPS Coordinates 42.09557, -80.13993

Location Map

Incident Narrative

A mechanic was working on a 1-ton truck. They were either loosening or tightening the torsion bars with a ratchet when the ratchet broke and struck the employee's face. The employee sustained loss of his left eye. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.

Incident Summary

On December 20, 2024, a worker at Gerlach's Property Maintenance, LLC in ERIE, Pennsylvania suffered avulsions, enucleations without bone loss to the eye(s). The incident was classified as injured by object held or wielded by person, with wrenches, ratchets identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized, eye loss.

Context

OSHA has recorded 215 severe injury reports involving "Injured by object held or wielded by person" incidents in our database. Browse all Injured by object held or wielded by person injuries.

See all reports for Gerlach's Property Maintenance, LLC.

Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Injured by object held or wielded by person events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
Oct 13, 2024 SUNNYGROVE LANDSCAPE & IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE, LLC SARASOTA, Florida Fractures Hosp.
Jul 29, 2024 EAGLE CRUSHER CO INC. BUCYRUS, Ohio Amputations, avulsions, enucleations unspecified Amp.
Mar 13, 2025 Harley Drilling and Producing Ltd. WOOSTER, Ohio Amputations, avulsions, enucleations unspecified Amp.
Jan 20, 2024 Transco Railway Products Inc. HOUSTON, Texas Amputations, avulsions, enucleations unspecified Amp.
Aug 25, 2025 D & J MACHINERY, INC. CLEWISTON, Florida Traumatic injuries or exposures unspecified Hosp.
Sep 10, 2024 Ryder Systems Inc. CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio Fractures and surface, flesh wounds Hosp.
May 20, 2025 American Crystal Sugar DRAYTON, North Dakota Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures Hosp.
Jul 12, 2024 Pomp's Tire Service Inc. DAVID CITY, Nebraska Fractures Hosp.

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment standard (29 CFR 1910.133 for general industry, 1926.102 for construction) requires employers to provide eye and face protection when workers are exposed to flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, chemical gases, and potentially injurious light radiation. The standard requires that PPE meet ANSI Z87.1 criteria. Employers must assess workplace hazards and select appropriate eye protection — safety glasses, goggles, or face shields depending on the specific hazard. Failure to provide required eye protection is one of OSHA's most frequently cited violations.

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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