ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 4
| Accident Type: |
Struck by Collapsing Crane Boom |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Clear |
| Type of Company: |
General Contractor |
| Size of Work Crew: |
9 |
| Union or Non-union: |
Union |
| Worksite Inspections Conducted: |
Yes |
| Designated Competent Person on Site (1926.20(b)(2)): |
Yes |
| Employer Safety Health Program: |
Yes |
| Training and Education for Employees: |
Yes |
| Craft of Deceased Employee(s): |
- Iron Worker
- Management Trainee
|
| Age & Sex |
- Ironworker-35; male
- Management Trainee-26; male
|
| Time on the Job: |
1 hour |
| Time on Task: |
1 hour |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
A crew of ironworkers and a crane operator were unloading a 20-ton steel slab from a low-boy trailer using a 50-ton crawler crane with 90-foot lattice boom. The operator was inexperienced on this crane and did not know the length of the boom. Further, no one had determined the load radius. During lifting, the load moved forward and to the right, placing a twisting force on the boom. The boom twisted under the load, swinging down, under and to the right. Two employees standing 30 feet away apparently saw the boom begin to swing and ran. The boom struck one of the employees - an ironworker - on the head, causing instant death. Wire rope struck the other -- a management trainee -- causing internal injuries. He died two hours later at a local hospital.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Train and test operators to determine qualifications: 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2) and 29 CFR 1926.550(b) ANSI B30.5 5-3.1.2.
- Require proper written procedures to insure the method for lifting is within manufacturer's specifications: 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(1).
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
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