Two Tons Of Lumber Fall On Inspector

A lumber inspector was crushed to death by a two ton stack of lumber which fell on him.

The incident occurred in the yard of a lumber retailer. The inspector was crouching in front of a stack when two bundles of two-by-fours fell from the stack behind him. He received severe head injuries and both legs were broken. He died at the hospital several hours later.

A seemingly small error in stacking can have fatal consequences. Piles of lumber – and any material – should be placed on a flat level surface. Lumber piles should be plumb and square. Storage areas should be laid out in an orderly manner with sufficient clearance. Stacks of lumber are normally stabilized by using spacers between lifts (bundles) and are stacked to heights limited to local regulations. Stacks should also be secured by means of cross-bracing where required.