# Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury at Verizon - New Jersey
> OSHA SIR `2020099228` · 9/29/2020 · ALLAMUCHY, NEW JERSEY
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** Back, including spine, spinal cord, unspecified
- **Nature of injury:** Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury
## Cause
- **Event:** Other fall to lower level less than 6 feet
- **Source:** Utility and telephone poles
- **Secondary source:** Floors, walkways, ground surfaces, unspecified
## Employer
- **Name:** Verizon - New Jersey
- **Location:** Pole 249, Johnsonburg Rd, ALLAMUCHY, NEW JERSEY, 07820
- **NAICS:** 517212
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

An employee was starting to climb a utility pole after attaching the lower removable rung assembly. When the employee stepped on one of the rungs, it gave way and locked in place. The employee fell backward to the ground 4 feet below. The employee sustained back pain between the shoulders.

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*Source: [OSHA Severe Injury Reports](https://www.osha.gov/severe-injury-reports) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*