ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 23
| Accident Type: |
Fall from Tower |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Clear |
| Type of Operation: |
Painting Contractor |
| Size of Work Crew: |
N/A |
| Collective Bargaining |
No |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: |
Yes |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
Yes |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: |
Yes |
| Training and Education Provided: |
No |
| Employee Job Title: |
Painter |
| Age & Sex: |
24-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
3 Years |
| Time on Project: |
3 Months |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Employees were sand blasting and painting a water tower. A worker was spray painting the inside of the riser of the tower. He was standing on a fixed ladder 40 feet above the riser floor without wearing any fall protection gear. Apparently he slipped and fell through an opening in the floor of the riser onto a standpipe.
INSPECTION RESULTS
Following its inspection, OSHA issued one serious citation for four violations and one other than serious citation listing three violations of its construction standards. Had the required fall protection been worn by the employee, his death could have been prevented.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Employees must be provided and required to wear fall protection equipment such as a safety belt and lanyard attached to a lifeline with rope grab (29 CFR 1926.28(a)).
- Employees must be instructed to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions associated with their work (29 CFR 1926.21 (b)(2)).
SOURCES OF HELP
- Construction Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207) which contains all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations (1926 and 1910) covering construction.
- "Occupational Fatalities Related to Ladders as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations." available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Rd. Springfield, Va. 22161, (703) 4874650, publication no. PB 80-153-471, $11.50, pre-paid.
- OSHA-funded free consultation services. Consult your telephone directory for the number of your local OSHA area or regional office for further assistance and advice (listed under U.S Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs).
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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