Gerlach's Property Maintenance, LLC
Injured by object held or wielded by person — Avulsions, enucleations without bone loss — 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.
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.