ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 73
| Accident Type: |
Struck by/Caught between |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Clear/warm |
| Type of Operation: |
Stacking Structural Steel |
| Size of Work Crew: |
6 |
| Competent Person on Site: |
No |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
No |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly by the Employer: |
No |
| Training and Education Provided: |
No |
| Employee Job Title: |
Laborer |
| Age & Sex: |
28-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
4 Years |
| Time on Project: |
5 Weeks |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Two laborers and a fork lift driver were staking 40-foot-long I-beams in preparation for for structural steel erection. One laborer was placing a 2 X 4 inch wooden spacer on the last I-beam on the stack. The fork lift driver drove up to the stack with another I-beam that was not secured or blocked on the fork lift tines. The I-beam fell from the tines, pining the laborer between the fallen I beam and the stack of beams.
INSPECTION RESULTS
As a result of its investigation, OSHA issued citations for two serious violations of OSHA standards.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
The employer must:
- Instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and regulations applicable to the work environment to control or eliminate any hazards. In accordance with Title 29 Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR) 1926.21(b)(2).
- Ensure that proper personal equipment (employee did not wear a seat belt while operating the fork lift) is worn in all operations where there is exposure to hazardous conditions, in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.28(a)
- Ensure that powered industrial trucks have loads that are stable and secure and that persons are not allowed too close to the elevated portions, in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(vi).
- Ensure that the employer initiates and maintains a safety and health program, in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2)
SOURCES OF HELP
- OSHA Construction Standards (Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1926) includes all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations covering construction, may be purchased from the Government Printing Office, phone (202) 512-1800, fax (202) 512-2250, Order No. 869-032-00107-3, ($31.00).
- OSHA-funded free consultation services listed in telephone directories under U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs.
- OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction, Volume III (Available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161; phone (703) 487-4650; Order no. PB-239-312/AS; Cost $25.) to help construction employers establish a training program.
- Courses in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone (847) 297-4810.
- OSHA regulations, documents and technical information also are available able on CD-ROM, which may be purchased from the Government Printing Office, phone (202) 512-1800 or fax (202) 512-2250, order number 729-13-00000-5; cost $43 annually; $17 quarterly. That information also is on the Internet World Wide Web at http://www.osha.gov/
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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