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Toolbox - Fatal Facts |
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Brief description of accident:
A concrete worker was killed and another was seriously injured when both fell through
an open floor hole. The hole was covered with a plywood sheet that
was not secured in place, marked, or otherwise identified as a hole
cover. While picking up the plywood sheet-which blocked their
view of the floor-the concrete workers continued walking in
an attempt to stand the plywood upright, and stepped into the floor
hole. They apparently thought the plywood sheets on the floor were
excess material and were moving them to widen a runway for concrete buggies.
Accident prevention recommendations:
Require effective fall protection for all employees on walking and working
surfaces to protect them from falling through holes (including skylights)
more than six feet above lower levels (Title 29 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 1926.501 (b)(4)).
Require that covers for all floor holes or openings be secured when
installed to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment,
or employees (29 CFR 1926.502 (i)(3)).
Require that all hole or opening covers be color coded or marked
with the word "HOLE," "OPENING" or "COVER"
to warn of the hazard (29 CFR 1926.502 (i)(4)).
Require that covers in roadways and vehicular aisles be capable
of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees,
equipment, and materials that may be imposed on them at any one
time (29 CFR 1926.502 (i)(2)).
Require that covers in roadways and vehicular aisles be capable
of supporting, without failure, at least twice the maximum axle
load of the largest vehicle expected to cross over the cover (29
CFR 1926.502 (i)(1)).
Sources of Help
- Construction Industry Digest (OSHA 2202) includes all OSHA construction standards
and those general industry standards that apply to construction.
It can be downloaded at no cost from the OSHA website at www.osha.gov
or ordered through the U.S. Government Printing Office at
www.gpo.gov.
- OSHA-funded free onsite consultation services are available to help the small
business employers identify and correct workplace hazards, develop
or improve an effective safety and health management system, or
both. Contact the OSHA regional office in your area for additional
information. JSHQ
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