ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 64
| Accident Type: |
Fall |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Good |
| Type of Operation: |
Demolition |
| Size of Work Crew: |
5 |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: |
No |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
Yes |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: |
No |
| Training and Education Provided: |
Inadequate |
| Employee Job Title: |
Laborer |
| Age & Sex: |
30-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
9 Days |
| Time on Project: |
3 Days |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
An employee was working on a scaffold near the top of a 250-toot smoke stack when a section of concrete being removed fell onto the scaffold, knocking the employee off. The employee was not tied off with a safety belt and lanyard and fell to the ground below.
INSPECTION RESULTS
As a result of its investigation of the accident, OSHA issued citations alleging two willful and several serious violations. OSHA's construction standards include requirements which, if they had been followed here, might have prevented this fatality.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- The employer must install standard guardrails (toprail, midrail and toeboards) on all open sides and ends of the bracket scaffold around the top of the smoke stack. [29 CFR 1926.451(a)(4)].
- The employer must provide training to inform employees of potential hazards while working on the scaffold. [29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)].
- The employer must provide a positive procedure to ensure that concrete sections fall inside, instead of outside, the smoke stack. [Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act].
SOURCES OF HELP
- Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1926 - OSHA construction standards. Revised 7/1/92. Stock number 869-017-00122-1 ($14). Available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325, Phone 202/783-3238. For phone orders you may use a GPO deposit account. Visa, MasterCard or checks made payable to Superintendent of Documents.
- For information on OSHA-funded free consultation services call the nearest OSHA area office listed in telephone directories under U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section in states administering their own OSHA programs.
- OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction (Available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161; phone 703/487-4650; Order No. PB-239-312/AS, $19.00) to help construction employees establish a training program.
- Courses in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018 (phone 708/297-4610).
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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