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Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations

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U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration

1991

Material contained in this publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially, without permission of the Federal Government. Source credit is requested but not required. Permission is required only to reproduce any copyrighted material contained herein.

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Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations

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U.S. Department of Labor
Lynn Martin, Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Gerald F. Scannell, Assistant Secretary

Office of Statistics
Stephen A. Newell, Acting Director

July 1991

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This study of occupational fatalities related to vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms that occurred during the period 1986-1990 continues the utilization of the OSHA fatality/catastrophe investigation reports as a source of information on how fatal workplace incidents occur. Thirty-four selected case files are utilized involving 35 fatalities.

The purpose of the analysis is to provide information that would highlight areas of interest for standards review and development, to aid in regulatory assessment, in training and educational programs, in consultation programs and in targeting compliance efforts. Accident information which is available within OSHA is used.

Each incident was assigned to one of four categories of factors most likely responsible for precipitating the incident even though several factors may have been present. These categories are: Operating Procedures, Equipment/Material/Facility Related, Environmental Conditions or Other. Employee activity at the time of the incidents is examined. Standards cited directly related to the incident are summarized. All thirty-four cases are included as case studies in this report.

Death from falls fromelevation and contact with sources of electrical current (electrocutions) accounted for 80% of the fatalities.

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I. INTRODUCTION

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

     A. Materials

     B. Methods

III. ANALYSIS

     A. Types of Fatal Incidents

     B. Employee Activity at the Time of Injury

     C. Standards Cited

IV. CONCLUSION

     A. Problem Areas

     B. Secondary Factors

     C. Preventive Measures

     D. Data Source

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

A. Classification of Variables Tables

     I. Types of Fatal Incidents Identified in Case Files

     II. Types of Accidents

     III. Employee Activity at Time of Injury

     IV. Work Location at Time of Injury

     V. Numbers of Fatalities by Occupations

B. Standards Cited

C. Definitions

     I. Definitions of Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and

Rotating Work Platform Terms

     II. Types of Incidents

     III. Factors Related to Fatal Incidents

D. Forms

     I. OSHA 36

     II. OSHA 170

     III. Codes

E. Available Studies in the Occupational Fatality Series

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I. INTRODUCTION

In response to the need for descriptive data on how fatal workplace incidents occur, the Division of Data Analysis has conducted this study of selected occupational fatalities related to vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms. This information is useful for standards review and development, as an aid in regulatory assessment, in developing training and educational programs, in providing consultation and in targeting compliance efforts. It follows previous studies of occupational fatalities that utilize case reports of OSHA fatality/catastrophe investigations by the compliance offices.

OSHA regulations require that all workplace fatalities be reported to the nearest Area Office in State and Federal jurisdictions within 48 hours of the event. A completed preliminary Fatality/Catastrophe Event Report Form (OSHA 36) is reviewed by the Area Director to determine if an investigation is warranted. If an investigation is performed, the compliance officer files a report of the incident in the Area Office containing a description of the incident, statements of witnesses, a list of citations to be issued for violations of standards, and other related information. Copies of case files are obtained from Area Offices under Federal jurisdiction and are the basis for this report and those preceding it.

The information in the case files are used for descriptive information on how fatal accidents may occur. In addition, an analysis of citations for violation of existing standards is made. Short narratives of the incidents are presented.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Materials

Thirty-four cases involving thirty-five fatalities are examined in this study. These which occurred during the period (1986-1990), were identified and obtained from the Area Offices. The 34 cases represent only those cases we could identify in the federally covered states. These cases do not represent all such incidents in the Nation for the time period. Not included are cases involving scissor lifts, platforms suspended from cranes, front end loaders, platforms on forklifts, man cages, etc. The included cases covered general industry and construction work areas.

The case files include, in varying amounts of detail, description of the incident, statements of witnesses, other supporting documents, and a listing of issued citations of standards violated. In some cases, the accident information may be partially conjectural as the event may not have been observed at the moment of occurrence. Also, there is no standard accident investigation procedure used for all accidents, hence all points important for reconstructing the event may not have been included.

B. Methods

Summaries of accident codes show little to indicate what led to and caused fatal incidents. See Appendix D, page D-3. Details provided by an indepth accident investigation are required. Information from the case files are examined and a sequence of events determined.

The clustering of similar occurrences are noted and classification schemes devised keeping in mind future standards modification and development. Citations issued that are relevant to the incident are examined. Finally, all thirty-four of the cases are presented to provide insight into how they occurred.

After reviewing all cases, four classification systems for the data were used. These were based on (1) the type of incident, (2) the type of accident (3) employee activity at the time of the fatal injury, and (4) location at the time of accident. These classifications are discussed in the following sections.

1. Type of Incident Classification
   • The type of incident classification is based on the activity that seemed to be the precipitating event resulting in death. The behavior of humans, the malfunctioning of equipment, environmental conditions or other events, all play a role in fatal incidents. If these can be identified, preventive measures could be developed and implemented more effectively. Often there are several factors involved. The factor that appears most likely to be the one that precipitated the incident is used to classify the event. These factors tend to cluster as (a) operating procedures, (b) equipment/material/facility related, (c) environmental conditions, or (d) other.
   1. Operating Procedures
      • These are incidents that resulted from the employee or employer not following designated work and safety procedures or there were none available. They include safeguarding the work area, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and all work activities under the control of the worker.
   2. Equipment/Material/Facility Related
      • These are incidents that resulted from malfunctioning or failure of equipment, hazardous materials, collapse of structures, etc.
   3. Environmental Conditions
      • These are incidents that resulted from unusual weather conditions such as heavy rains, excessive heat or coldness, or strong, gusty winds. There were no incidents classified in this study as resulting directly from environmental conditions.
   4. Other
      • These are incidents that cannot be specifically assigned to operating procedures, equipment/material/facility related or environmental conditions.
2. Types of Accident Classification
   • Most of the fatal incidents occurred when the employee was aloft in the aerial device. A sizable number of these involved contact with energized electrical lines and other sources of current. They are included in accidents involving vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms because the employee was working from the aerial platform (basket or bucket) when he was electrocuted. Often this was a result of maneuvering the platform into the power lines or otherwise coming in contact with energized sources of electricity with grounding occurring through the bucket and boom. Other fatal incidents involved falls from the aerial platform, falls with the boom and bucket when the truck overturned, falls with the collapse of the boom, etc.
3. Employee Activity at the Time of Injury Classification
   • The employee activity at the time of the fatal incident is the third classification of these occurrences. While it is recognized that what the worker was doing at the time of the accident may or may not be the direct cause of the accident, this activity was an integral part of the event and intersected with the other three classifications. When the activity of the deceased at the moment the accident occurs is known, the information is used. Otherwise, the general assigned activity, e.g., working on transformers, replacing light bulbs, repairing overhead lines, etc., is used.
   1. Performing Normal Job
      • The worker was engaged in an activity that was part of his assigned work tasks. He or she may have been moving from one work area to another or changing work positions in the performance of the job.
   2. Performing Other Than Normal Job
      • The worker was engaged in an activity that was not related to assigned work tasks. He or she may have been performing a task not usually done by the worker, employee was on break, etc.
   3. Unknown Activity
      • It was not reported or it was not clear what type of work activity was taking place at the time of the incident.
4. Work Location at the Time of Injury Classification
   • This classification describes the location of the worker when the incident occurred. The locations in most cases involved an aerial platform (basket or bucket).

After the cases were coded by type of incident, type of accident employee activity and work location, relevant data summaries were made. All cases (34) are presented by incident type classification in the report.

III. ANALYSIS

The analysis consisted of seven parts.

1. Review of all available vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms incidents found in the compliance officer's inspection case files and selecting those that were within scope and usable.
2. Review of case files for incident type classification.
3. Identification of accident types, e.g., falls from elevations, electrocutions, etc.
4. Identification of employee activity at the time of the incident.
5. Identification of work location at the time of the incident.
6. Identification of secondary and other contributing factors mentioned in the case files.
7. Examination of relevant citations issued as a result of the incident.

Some basic terms^* used in this study are noted as follows. See Appendix C for additional definitions of terms.

Aerial Device: Any vehicle-mounted device, telescoping or articulating or both which is used to position personnel.

Aerial Ladder: An aerial device consisting of a single or multiple section extensible ladder.

Articulating Boom Platform: An aerial device with two or more hinged boom sections.

Extensible Boom Platform: An aerial device (except ladders) with a telescope or extensible boom. Telescopic derricks with personnel platform attachments shall be considered to be extensible boom platforms when used with a personnel platform.

* Code of Federal Regulations 29 1910.67 and 1926.556, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 1989.

Insulated Aerial Device: An aerial device designed for work on energized lines and apparatus.

Mobile Unit: A combination of an aerial device, its vehicle and related equipment.

Vertical Tower: An aerial device designed to elevate a platform in a substantially vertical axis.

Platform: Any personnel carrying device (basket or bucket) which is a component of an aerial device.

Vehicle: Any carrier that is not manually propelled.

Thirty-four incidents involving thirty-five fatalities are examined. For each incident type, a summary of findings is followed by case studies^* of all 34 incidents in the appropriate categories. These are as follows:

A. Types of Fatal Incidents

Operating Procedures

These incidents occurred when:

There was a failure to take proper safety procedures around energized overhead power lines. (see cases 1 through 5)

Employee elevated or otherwise moved aerial platform (basket/bucket) into energized power lines. (see cases 6 through 8)

There was careless operation of the truck/vehicle of the aerial device. (see case 9 and 10)

Outriggers (stabilizers) were not extended or were extended improperly. (see cases 11 and 12)

There was a failure to operate boom safely; boom off center. (see cases 13 and 14)

Workers untrained/unfamiliar with aerial lift were allowed to operate it. (see cases 15 and 16)

Workers cut into energized lines/wires. (see case 17)

* The Word "deceased" is used in some narratives at points prior to the exact time of the fatal incident for better identification and clarity. Under the heading, Injury, the following codes are used: F, fatality; H, hospitalized injury; and, N, non-hospitalized injury.

Front wheels of aerial lift vehicle slipped off trailer when unloading it. (see case 18)

Worker overreacted to controls while operating bucket. (see case 19)

There was a failure to follow instructions. (see case 20)

Lack of visual/oral communication occurred. (see case 21)

Worker placed himself in dangerous work position without fall protection. (see case 22)

OPERATING PROCEDURE
CASE NUMBER: 1
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Cable TV Services	SIC: 4899
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution and Fall	DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/22/87
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near TV Cable	TIME OF INCIDENT: 4:30 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):	NO. FATALITIES: 1

Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	27	Service Technician

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The service technician was "changing out" a pole, i.e., securing a cable TV line from an old pole to a new pole nearby. He was working from the bucket of an uninsulated aerial lift. He had attached a "come along" to the cable to hold it in place while he transferred it from the old pole to the new pole. The electrical conductor on the old pole was about 3 1/2" from the new pole. The new pole contacted the 20 KV (phase to ground) power line. The employee was apparently in contact with the new pole and the cable TV line. He received an electrical shock and fell out of the bucket approximately 23' to the ground. He suffered no broken bones. The cause of death was electrocution. He was not wearing a safety belt and was not tied off.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(b)(4)(iii)	The owner of electric power lines or his authorized representative was not notified and provided with all pertinent information before operation of aerial lifts in close proximity to electrical power lines.
1910.268(n)(11)(iv)	Insulated gloves were not worn.
1910.67(c)(2)(v)	A body belt was not worn with a lanyard attached to a boom or bucket when working from an aerial lift.
1910.268(b)(6)	Inspection of support structure of aerial lift before use.
1910.67(c)(2)(ix)	Controls were not marked.
1910.268(c)	Employer did not assure that employee not engage in telecommunications work until employee was properly trained in precautions and safe practices.

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OPERATING PROCEDURE
CASE NUMBER: 2
TYPE OFESTABLISHMENT: Light and Power Utility	SIC: 4911
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution	DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/22/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Power Lines	TIME OF INCIDENT: 12:40 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):	NO. FATALITIES: 1

Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	43	Lead Line Mechanic

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

A severe localized thunderstorm had occurred and lines were down. Crews were out repairing lines. A lineman, using rubber gloved hands was removing grounds while in an elevated bucket. The grounds were put into primaries from the secondary neutral, and upon removing ends from the primaries, the employees put one of the two ends in the bucket. While he was repositioning to remove the other ends from the neutral, his upper part of body (ear) came in contact with a primary line (5KV). His right thigh was touching the free end of the grounds which were still attached to the secondary neutral. The lineman slumped in the bucket following a flash. The aerial bucket was lowered and CPR was given. He was dead on arrival at the hospital.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.21(b)(2)	The employee engaged in repairing electrical power lines were not adequately instructed and trained in the recognition of the condition, system and/or consequences of not opening all circuits.
1926.950(c)(2)(i)	The employees engaged repairing electrical power lines, did not maintain the minimum safe working distance at all times while preparing repair work from the ground and/or removing wires from the elevated buckets.
1926.950(d)(1)(ii)(a)	It was not assured by maintaining proper communications, visual inspection, or by test that the No.3 cutout/fuse through which supplied the electrical power to the work area had been de-energized.
1926.954(d)	De-energized line(s) and equipment which would be grounded, were not tested for voltage.
1926.955(a)(6)	The aerial lift bucket truck was not grounded or bonded to a nearby ground where/while and/or employee was performing repair work from the ground.
1926.950(c)(1)	The employee engaged in repairing electrical power lines, brought ends of ground wires into bucket of an aerial lift truck before completely disconnecting the other ends from the ground line.

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OPERATING PROCEDURE
CASE NUMBER: 3
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Industrial Plant Wiring			SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution			DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/15/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Overhead Lines			TIME OF INCIDENT: 1:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):			NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	22	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was grounding overhead guys with a piece of No. 6 unprotective energized lines copper wire when he came in contact with the bracket holding the hot phase wire (7,200 volts). The employee was not wearing protective gloves and/or sleeves. He was elevated approximately 29 feet in the bucket of an aerial lift.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employee working from an aerial lift.
1926.950(c)(1)(i)	Employee was not insulated or guarded from electrical energized parts: employee was wearing leather work gloves instead of protective gloves rated for the voltage involved.

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CASE NUMBER: 4	OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electrical Power Distribution	SIC: 4911
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution and Fall from Pole	DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/18/88
WORK LOCATION: On Utility Pole	TIME OF INCIDENT: 2:15 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):	NO. FATALITIES: 1

Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	47	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Two employees were completing a job of installing a new customer service line to a street light pole. One employee was in the bucket of an aerial lift; the other was on the light pole. Both had taken off their rubber gloves while preparing to descend. The senior lineman on the pole was removing his safety belt from around the pole to descend to a point below the light fixture when he came in contact with low voltage (120v to 8kv) live lines. He called out "get me out of these lines". The grounding wire from the street light fixture had been cut in two and not replace. Before the lineman in the bucket could turn around to him, he fell to the ground approximately 31 feet below. He died in a hospital fours hours later during an operation.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(ix)

Controls were not plainly marked as to their function.

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OPERATING PROCEDURE
CASE NUMBER: 5
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Rural Electric Utility	SIC: 4911
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution	DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/9/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Power Line	TIME OF INCIDENT: 3:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):	NO. FATALITIES: 1

Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	42	Lineman (Journeyman)

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

A lineman, working from an aerial bucket, was electrocuted while in the process of reconnecting a line. He was placing armor rod on the wire before the wire was installed on the insulator. The armor rod material he was carrying in the bucket with him came in contact with a 7,200 volts energized power line. He had no barriers or guards in place to protect against making contact with live line phases and he was not wearing protective rubber gloves.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(vii)	The brakes shall be set and when outriggers are used, they were not positioned on pads or a solid surface.
1926.950(c)(1)(ii)	Several sets of armor rods were in the lift bucket with the employee. Hand lines were not used to raise and lower material.
1926.556(b)(2)(i)	Lift controls were not tested each day prior to use to determine that such controls are in safe working conditions.
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from an aerial lift.

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OPERATING PROCEDURE
CASE NUMBER: 6
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Cleans and Services Power Sub-Stations	SIC: 1799
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electric Shock and Fall	DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/26/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Insulators (Power Lines)	TIME OF INCIDENT: 3:00 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):	NO FATALITIES: 1

Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	47	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The deceased, a lineman, was cleaning insulator bushing and strain arresters while in the insulated bucket of a mobile aerial lift. He was using ground corn cob abrasive under compressed air flowing through a 3/4 inch by 13 foot fiber glass wand. The deceased signaled the ground man that he was through. The ground man proceeded to turn off the air on the cob machine and looking up, saw that the bucket was in contact with the middle uninsulated 34,500 V transmission line. The lineman then moved the bucket and brought the middle wire in contact with the uninsulated outside wire going phase to phase creating a loud crackling sound, fire and smoke. The lineman attempted to move the wire off his back and then slumped forward falling out of the bucket. He fell 53 feet striking head against a front fender of the truck before hitting the ground.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(b)(4)(i)	A minimum tolerance of 10 feet was not maintained between the bucket of the mobile aerial device and the electric power transmission line.
1910.67(c)(2)(ix)	Both upper and lower controls (at boom and bucket) were not marked as to their functions.
1910.67(c)(2)(v)	A body belt was not worn with a lanyard attached to a boom or bucket while working in an aerial lift.

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CASE NUMBER: 7				OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Cable TV Installation				SIC: 4899
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution				DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/29/86
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Utility Lines				TIME OF INCIDENT: 9:45 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	38	Cable TV Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The lineman, who had ten years of experience in the field, was working from an aerial lift stringing support wires for a TV cable. Tree branches were in the way and he used a saw to cut them. During the trimming operation, he elevated the bucket and his head contacted a 7,620 volt primary line. The driver below saw a flash and the lineman fell back into the metal bucket. He was wearing a "baseball" cap and not a hard hat. He was not wearing a safety belt and lanyard.

He was lowered by the driver and policeman assigned to the area attempted CPR but the lineman had expired.

The metal bucket became grounded through the attached stringing wire which in turn contacted a guy wire.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(b)(4)(i)(A)	Aerial lifts was not insulated for the work and was operated near power lines. It did not have a minimum clearance of 10' from the power lines.
1910.67(c)(2)(v)	Body belt not worn and attached with a lanyard to the boom or bucket of aerial lift.
1910.268(i)(1)	The employer did not ensure that head protection meeting the requirements for industrial protective helmets for electrical workers were provided and used.
1910.268(c)	No written record of a training program.
1910.268(b)(7)	Employees stringing steel support wires from an aerial lift approached a primary line closer than 24".

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CASE NUMBER: 8								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electrical Contractor								SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution								DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/10/86
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Power Line								TIME OF INCIDENT: 2:45 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	21	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee moved his mobile aerial tower in position over three phases of a 7,200 volt line. He lowered the bucket between the outer and middle lines. The non-insulated portion of the boom tip which had rivets/bolts sticking out contacted the middle phase. Fault current then traveled through the boom tip to the partially detached metal clad hydraulic tool circuit on the outside of the bucket which had been wired to the safety belt ring located on the inside of the insulated bucket. It finally traveled to the safety belt tie off ring. A copper wire was tied to this ring holding a pair of large lineman's pliers. The employee's knee contracted the energized set of pliers at the same time he was holding a de-energized/partially grounded wire. This completed the circuit which electrocuted the employee.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.21(b)(2)	Employees had not been thoroughly instructed regarding the recognition of specific safety hazards associated with the operation of track/tower.
1926.556(a)(2)	Aerial lift was "field modified" for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer without the modification being certified by the manufacturer.
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from an aerial lift.

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CASE NUMBER: 9								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Water Distribution								SIC: 4941
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall with Aerial Bucket								DATE OF INCIDENT: 4/16/87
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Transformers (Power Line)								TIME OF INCIDENT: 9:30 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	33	Serviceman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The driver parked the lift truck in the uphill direction of the inclined street and perpendicular to the transformers on the power pole. He set the emergency brake but did not chock the wheels nor engage the outriggers. As the serviceman (deceased) inspected the transformers from the aerial bucket, the truck began to drift backwards downhill. The driver applied the brakes. However, the lift bucket contacted the transformer crossbar and, by shear weight of the vehicle, twisted the pole approximately 20 degrees compressing the exterior portion of the bucket with enough pressure to shatter it. Debris were scattered approximately 20 feet. The interior bucket section along with the serviceman fell 35 feet to the ground. The remaining boom section caught the transformer guy wire while a bystander attempted to crib the wheels with a steve which brought the truck to a halt. The employee died from multiple injuries. He was not wearing a body belt attached with a lanyard to the bucket or basket.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(c)(2)(v)	A body belt was not worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or bucket when working from an aerial lift.
1910.67(c)(2)(vii)	Wheel chocks were not installed before using an aerial lift on an incline.

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CASE NUMBER: 10								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Power Line Construction								SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall From Moving Aerial Lift Truck (Pulled)								DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/10/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform While Traveling								TIME OF INCIDENT: 2:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	24	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

A lineman was pulled from the bucket of an aerial lift truck he was riding in by a low hanging insulated communication cable. The cable was suspended approximately thirteen and one-half feet above the center of the west-bound lane of the road. The truck was relocating from one work location to a another location 1.9 miles away. He was replacing insulators at different locations along the line. The lineman was not secured inside the bucket by a safety belt and lanyard.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556 (b)(2)(v)

A body belt attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from an aerial lift.

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CASE NUMBER: 11								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Tree Trimming								SIC: 0793
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall When Aerial Truck Overturned								DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/17/86
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform in Trees								TIME OF INCIDENT: 8:30 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	56	Tree Trimmer

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Employees were engaged in tree trimming operations using a hydraulic operated bucket truck. After arriving at the site one of the employees set up the truck by placing the outriggers. He than mounted the bucket and connected the lanyard to his safety belt. He began to unfold the boom rotating 45° from parallel. When the upper boom was approximately 20° from level, the truck overturned causing the boom and bucket to fall 50' striking the ground. The employee in the bucket was ejected head first onto the street payment resulting in fatal injuries.

It was determined that immediately after the truck turned over the left outrigger was in the stowed position. Two possibilities were considered: (1) the outrigger was never extended or was partially extended but not to the extent of leveling the truck, and (2) an employee mistakenly retracted the outrigger.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

No citations were issued.

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CASE NUMBER: 12				OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electric and Refrigeration Company				SIC: 1731
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall When Bucket Truck Overturned				DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/7/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Utility Pole (light)				TIME OF INCIDENT: 11:30 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	35	Electric/Foreman
H	M	26	Electrician Apprentice

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Two employees were using an aerial lift or Cherry Picker while replacing overhead lights at a car rental maintenance yard. The truck overturned with the two men in the bucket. The bucket had been moved up to the light after employees placed a light at another pole location. The outriggers had not been extended and the bucket fell with the overturning truck. It was determined that the outriggers had been extended at the previous location. One man was killed, the other received a broken leg in several places.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(c)(2)(v)	A body belt was not worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or bucket while working from an aerial lift.
1910.67(c)(2)(vii)	Outriggers were not extended and positioned on a solid surface or on pads.

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CASE NUMBER: 13								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electric Contractor								SIC: 1731
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall with Overturning Bucket Truck								DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/10/90
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Utility Pole (light)								TIME OF INCIDENT: 9:30 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	40	Owner of Electric Company

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The worker, owner of his electric company, was working from an elevated bucket on an vehicle mounted aerial lift. He was preparing to change out some light bulbs on parking lot light poles which were 80' in height. He wanted to check to see what type of bulbs would be needed. He extended the outriggers on back of the truck and began to ascend in the bucket. The boom was off-center and the truck tipped to the right side. The elbow of the extended boom hit a car on the parking lot and this propelled him from the bucket which was approximately 25' from the ground level. He fell between two cars striking his head. Death was due to cardio-pulmonary arrest and multiple injuries including a fractured skull.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(v)

A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from an aerial lift.

---

CASE NUMBER: 14								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electric Utility Construction								SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution								DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/21/86
WORK LOCATION: On Ground Near Aerial Lift Truck								TIME OF INCIDENT: 11:00 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	46	Utility Construction Worker

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

A construction crew was using an aerial lift truck to trim trees from the right-of-way of a 7,620 volt power line. An employee was leaning against the side of the truck. Another employee was in the bucket over a high voltage line trimming trees. When repositioning, the boom touched the high voltage line, energizing the truck. The employee on the ground was electrocuted. The employee in the bucket stated that he was unable to move the boom to come down. When the employee on the ground fell, the employee in the bucket could then operate the boom. He came down and pulled the employee from under the truck, checked his airway and tried to pump air into his lungs but was unable to get any response from him. He then drove to the office and reported the accident. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

No citations were issued.

---

CASE NUMBER: 15								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Air Services Contractor								SIC: 4582
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall when Aerial Equipment Tipped Over								DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/14/87
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Building								TIME OF INCIDENT: 12:15 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	46	Mechanic

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was operating an aerial lift platform which he had borrowed. He was untrained and unfamiliar with its operation. He was changing light bulbs on the hanger roof 55 feet from the ground. The equipment tipped over resulting in his death when he moved the bucket counter-clockwise to make another approach to a light. At this time, the bucket went behind the center of rotation with the weight of the entire boom on one side. The aerial device can tip over if the bucket goes beyond the center line of rotation.

The aerial platform was a self-contained hydraulically operated unit mounted on a truck chassis. Retractable outrigger stabilizers were located on both sides of the mainframe. The extended outrigger sections measured 3' 6" long, 5" thick and 7" wide. These were extended at the time of the accident.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(c)(2)(ii)	Untrained employees were allowed to operate an aerial lift.
1910.67(c)(2)(v)	A body belt was not worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or bucket when working from an aerial lift.

---

CASE NUMBER: 16				OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Highway Construction				SIC: 1622
ACCIDENT TYPE: Run Over by Truck When Knocked from Basket				DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/24/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Basket Near Construction Site				TIME OF INCIDENT: 11:30 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	36	Construction Laborer
H	M	25	Construction Laborer

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Two untrained elevated highway construction employees were ascending from ground level to an elevated construction level in the bucket of an articulating aerial boom lift during a night shift. An eighteen wheel truck struck the platform as it swing over the unlighted and poorly marked interstate highway throwing the unbelted employees onto the highway. A second vehicle ran over one employee resulted in death. The second employee was severely injured by the fall and hospitalized.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.26	Road construction performed adjacent to interstate at night was without artificial lighting exposing employees to hazards of falls and being struck by traffic.
1926.21(b)(2)	Construction was performed from aerial work platform(s) without the necessary training and education, exposing employees to the hazards of being struck by traffic.
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	Construction was performed from aerial work platform(s) without wearing the required safety belt/lanyard, exposing employee(s) to the hazard of falls.

---

CASE NUMBER: 17								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electrical Signs Manufacturer								SIC: 3993
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution and Fall								DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/3/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Electric Sign								TIME OF INCIDENT: 1:30 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	36	Serviceman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was in the process of replacing a neon unit on an electric sign (the sign was de-energized). He was working from an aerial device 40' above the concrete ground below. When he energized the sign, the neon unit did not light up. He used a high tension cable to bypass the neon unit while trouble shooting the sign. The employee apparently tried to cut or push the cable with a pair of pliers while the sign and cable were still energized (15,000 volts). He became part of the electric circuit and fell 40' to the ground. He was not wearing a safety belt. The autopsy revealed death by electrocution.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(b)(1)	Aerial device was not designed and constructed in accordance with American National Standard for "Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Platforms", ANSI A 92.2-1969.
1910.132(a)	Insulating protective equipment was not used while working on "live" electrical equipment.
1910.67(c)(2)(v)	A body belt was not worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or bucket when working from an aerial lift.

---

CASE NUMBER: 18								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Equipment Rental and Leasing								SIC: 7394
ACCIDENT TYPE: Thrown From Bucket								DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/20/87
WORK LOCATION: Platform of Aerial Lift Being Unloaded								TIME OF INCIDENT: 11:00 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	45	Operator/Mechanic

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee, while in the platform bucket, was unloading a powered mobile work platform from a trailer. The rear wheels contacted the ground as the front wheels slipped off the trailer. The impact caused the telescoping boom to spring throwing the employee into the air. The employee landed on the guard rail of the bucket. His weight pushed the bucket down causing the bucket to contact the trailer bed. The boom sprang again causing the employee to again be thrown from the bucket into the air. He again fell onto the bucket guard rail and tumbled on to the pavement approximately 8' below. He was taken to the hospital where he died from head and chest injuries.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1910.67(c)(2)(ii)	Employee operating an aerial lift was not adequately trained.
1910.67(c)(2)(v)	A body belt was not worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or bucket when working from an aerial lift.
1910.67(c)(2)(ix)	Operating controls for a boom supported elevating work platform were not plainly marked to denote their function.

---

CASE NUMBER: 19								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Steel Structural Erection								SIC: 1791
ACCIDENT TYPE: Crushed Between Lift Platform and Rafter								DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/11/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Structural Steel								TIME OF INCIDENT: 10:10 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	52	Ironworker

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Two men working on structural steel were in the bucket of an aerial lift. They relocated and then extended the boom instead of elevating it. One of the employees head, neck and chest was pinned against a steel rafter by the control pulpit of the aerial lift platform (bucket) he was operating. It was the result of excessive forward motion of the "car body" of the lift caused by over-activation of the control for the situation at hand. The other employee was unhurt.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employee(s) working from an aerial lift.
1926.556(b)(2)(ix)	Controls on extensible and articulating boom platform were not plainly marked as to their function.

---

CASE NUMBER: 20								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Power Line Construction								SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution								DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/18/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Power Line								TIME OF INCIDENT: 10:05 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	24	Crew Leader Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

A lead lineman and one ground lineman were sent to install a new anchor guy wire on a power distribution line after removing the old. The employees were instructed to dump or de-energize the hot line before beginning work. They did not cut the power as instructed. They installed the new anchor. The lead lineman than went up in the insulated bucket with the new guy line dangling from the bucket to the ground. The lineman in the bucket took hold of the overhead guy wire. This touched the 7,200 volt outer phase of the distribution lines which had not been de-energized. This contact energized the guy wire and electrocuted the employee. The ground employee heard sparks and used the lower bucket controls to override upper controls and bring the deceased employee out of the line.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.50(c)	A person who has a valid certificate in first-aid training was not available at the worksite to render first-aid.
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from an aerial lift.

---

CASE NUMBER: 21				OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electric Utility Services				SIC: 4911
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution				DATE OF INCIDENT: 4/15/87
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Transmission Line				TIME OF INCIDENT: 2:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	38	Lineman
H	M	38	Working Foreman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employees had been assigned to re-do a sectionalizer (electric conductor jumper) on a transmission line. According to the safety manager, the work procedure would be performed as live-wire bare-hand work. The two men ascended in a bucket. Employee B asked Employee A if he was ready and the answer was yes. Employee B then positioned the bonding cable over the electric conductor so as to bring up the grids and later began knocking out the sectionalizer jumper. At no time did he turn to see if Employee A, who was three feet west of him, had electrically connected the grids. He continued knocking out the sectionalizer. Employee A had not connected the grids and as the jumper clamp became loose, the jumper came off isolating the transmission line (69kv) in question. The jumper wire struck Employee A. The electrical current (because the grids were not connected) than conducted between the hot side of the sectionalizer through the grid band, through Employee A to the jumper and then to the load side of the transmission line. Employee A was electrocuted and Employee B suffered electrical burns to his hands.

The bucket was lowered to remove the men. As this was being done, the transmission line was being lowered toward the bare-hand truck because the grid clamp was mechanically connected to the transmission line. The bucket was lowered until a dielectric breakdown occurred between the bucket and the bare-hand truck. This caused the over-current protection circuit to activate. Prior to this activation, the ground crew was exposed to serious electrical hazards.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.21(b)(2)	Employees were not instructed in the recognition and avoidance of electrical hazards since employees lowered the north phrase transmission level and made electrical contact with bare-hand truck while employees were standing next to truck.
1926.955(e)(3)	Equipment which was not designed, tested and intended for live-line bare-hand work was used.
1926.955(e)(14)	Before employee contact the energized part to be worked on, the conductive bucket line was not bonded to the energized conductor by means of a positive conductor.

---

CASE NUMBER: 22								OPERATING PROCEDURE
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Power Transmission Line Construction								SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall From Elevated Aerial Bucket								DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/15/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Utility Poles								TIME OF INCIDENT: 8:30 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	46	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

A lineman with 30 years experience was in the bucket of a bucket truck. He was elevated approximately 50 feet above the pole yard when he fell out of the bucket. There was no electrical contact as the power was not energized. At the time of the fall, he was attempting to tie off a new high line to a pole when he lost his balance and fell. He was not wearing a safety belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket and was killed instantly upon impact.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.21(b)(2)	Wearing of safety belts was not effectively instructed to all employee, working from buckets during power line construction.
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from an aerial lift.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 23
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electrical Power Distribution				SIC: 4911
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fell With Aerial Tower Boom and Bucket				DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/19/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Tower Bucket Near Power Sub-Station				TIME OF INCIDENT: 4:30 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	42	Utility Construction Worker
H	M	52	Utility Construction Worker

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Employees were erecting metal towers for a power sub-station. Two employees were working in an aerial tower bucket approximately 22' above ground. A loud pop was heard and the boom and bucket fell to the ground. Their safety lines held the two employees in the bucket. The deceased was jerked against the guardrails with such force that he bled to death internally within a short period of time. The other injured employee was admitted to the hospital with fractured legs and fractured foot.

The end of the main hydraulic cylinder had stripped out and pulled apart allowing the boom to fall.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(ix)	Controls were not plainly marked as to their function.
1926.556(b)(2)(ix)	There were no upper platform (bucket) controls in or beside the platform.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 24
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Tree Trimming and Care				SIC: 0783
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fell with Bucket on Boom Truck				DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/30/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform At Repair Shop				TIME OF INCIDENT: 8:30 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	54	Company President

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The deceased had taken a bucket truck in for repairs and had returned the next day to pick up the truck. When he tried out the aerial lift, it fell 25' with him in the bucket when the boom collapsed. He was operating the lift after being told by the mechanic that the work was not finished. The hydraulic cylinder on the boom was to be repaired.

He was transported to a nearby medical center where he died.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

No citations were issued.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 25
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electrical Contractor								SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall When Boom Failed								DATE OF INCIDENT: 4/18/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Electric Utility Pole								TIME OF INCIDENT: 10:30 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 2
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	45	Lineman
F	M	25	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The two employees had been assigned to change out a cross arm on an electric utility pole about 30 feet above ground level. While trying to maneuver the boom into position from the twin buckets of an aerial lift truck, the boom fell with the two men in the buckets. Both men remained in the buckets which fell some 30 to 35 feet to the ground. Both men died as a result of internal injures at the scene. The upper arm hydraulic lift cylinder failed allowing the buckets to fall 35 feet with the upper arm to the ground below.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

No citations were issued.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 26
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electric Utility Services								SIC: 4911
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall From Pole								DATE OF INCIDENT: 4/22/88
WORK LOCATION: Utility Pole								TIME OF INCIDENT: 1:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	56	Overhead Line Worker

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The utility worker was being raised (he was operating the lift) in a bucket to change out a transformer and install new secondary wires. At some point during the lift, the controls in the bucket became jammed and the bucket was caught in the communication wires. The worker then asked the ground man to kill the power as the bucket was stuck and the controls jammed. The ground man mounted the truck, killed the power and looked up to see the deceased reaching out for the pole so as to be able to climb down to the ground. The ground man then jumped from the truck taking his eyes off the worker on the pole. The deceased hit the ground at the same instant having fallen 18-20 feet. He was taken to the hospital where he died eleven days later from internal injuries.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(a)(1)	The bucket truck was not removed from service when a defect which could affect the proper operation of the lift was noted specifically the upper control was damaged preventing the control to return automatically to the neutral position did not meet ANSI B 92.2-1969 Standard.
1926.556(b)(2)(i)	Lift controls were not being tested on a daily basis prior to their use to assure that such controls are in a safe working condition.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED

CASE NUMBER: 27
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Power Line Construction				SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Electrocution				DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/4/90
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Basket Near Power Lines				TIME OF INCIDENT: 1:30 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	46	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was working in an insulated aerial bucket near energized 7,200 volts power lines and some grounded de-energized lines. He was installing new lines which were de-energized and were in contact with the ground. The energized lines were temporary with pigtails protruding from the temporary connections. The bucket controls were outside the bucket on the side. The deceased failed to wear insulated gloves. He moved the bucket too close to the pigtail on one line. It contacted his hand and the control handle while he had his other hand on a grounded de-energized line. The resulting electrical shock was fatal.

The bucket control cover was missing on the exterior mounted bucket controls and the upper control override button had been tied in the depressed position causing uncontrollable and unpredictable movement of the bucket. The bucket began to move sideways past the point where the operator intended it to stop and the employee holding on to the de-energized line with his left hand reached for the control handle just as the bucket moved into a "pigtail" of the temporarily located energized line which touched the deceased's hand.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.100(a)	Employees were not protected by protective helmets while working in areas where there is possible danger of head injuries from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns.
1926.556(b)(2)(i)	Lift controls were not tested each day prior to use to determine that such controls were in safe working condition; the lower override button was tied in the "override" position to make the malfunctioning upper controls move functional resulting in an unpredictable uninstructional, uncontrollable bucket movement after the upper controls were released.
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from an aerial lift.
1926.556(b)(2)(xi)	The covers were missing from the exterior mounted upper bucket controls.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 28
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Highway Bridge Construction	SIC: 1622
ACCIDENT TYPE: Crushed Between Bucket Guard Rail and Surface	DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/6/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Bridge	TIME OF INCIDENT: 9:30 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):	NO. FATALITIES: 1

Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	29	Hourly Foreman/Lift Operator

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was using an aerial lift to reach the access plates on the underside of a bridge to close them off. He needed parts to do the job and requested the man below to get them. They obtained the necessary parts and called the employee on a hand radio to come down to pick them up. He got into the bucket which was located one foot below the bridge. The bucket was observed to start down and then stop. At some point he was pinned between the underside of the bridge and guard rail on the bucket crushing his head. The controls were not clearly marked and the employee was in a poor operating position.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(ix)		The operator controls on the bucket of the lift were not plainly marked as to function.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 29
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Engineering Company				SIC: 8911
ACCIDENT TYPE: Vehicle Mounted Work Platform Tilted/Fell, Worker Struck Head				DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/11/87
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Bridge				TIME OF INCIDENT: 10:00 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	27	Inspector

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was riding aboard a personnel carrier (bucket) attached to an extended aerial boom 85 feet in length. He was inspecting structural members and the drainage system of an elevated interstate highway bridges over a river. He was located approximately 50 feet above normal ground level. It was determined that the boom extended 85' at an angle of 29° created a weight in excess of the 210 lbs. allowed with these conditions (the employee weighed 225 lbs.). The overload caused the outriggers to dig and sink into the soil (clay dirt) allowing the truck platform to tilt. This caused the extended boom and carrier to arc toward a bridge support column. During this downward thrust, the employee's head struck the column resulting in his death.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

No citations were issued.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 30
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Electric Utility Construction								SIC: 1623
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall From Aerial Bucket								DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/24/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Power Structure								TIME OF INCIDENT: Unknown
AFFECTED WORKER(S):								NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	NA	Lineman

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employer was working at a power structure from an aerial bucket when a 3/8" shield wire he was working with and which was laying across the bucket came into contact with the upper controls and accidently activated the lower boom causing the boom to raise and go out. This put strain on the leveling rods and caused the bucket to flip into a horizontal position. The employee fell 56' from the bucket and was killed when his head struck an outrigger on the aerial lift vehicle. He was not wearing his safety belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket.

The guard for the upper operating control was broken, thus allowing the control to be accidently activated by other equipment or materials.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employees working from aerial lift.
Section 5(a)(1)	Employees were exposed to unintentional movement of aerial lift.
1926.556(b)(2)(ix)	The employer did not plainly mark controls as to their function.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 31
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Walnut Orchard				SIC: 0173
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall With Cherry Picker Bucket, Boom Failed				DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/8/88
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform in Orchard				TIME OF INCIDENT: 7:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	29	Orchard Worker

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

Employees were in the orchard pruning trees. The deceased was aloft in an aerial bucket when the upper connection of the hydraulic lift cylinder to the boom broke at the weld (a new, clean break) and the bucket fell approximately 21 feet with the employee in it. He was taken to a hospital where he died several hours later from trauma of the abdomen, chest and back, major tissue damage of vital organs and internal bleeding.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

No citations were issued.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 32
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Painting Contractor				SIC: 1721
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall with Overturning Equipment				DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/30/87
WORK LOCATION: Aerial "Snooper" Platform Near Bridge				TIME OF INCIDENT: 11:00 am
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	26	Painter

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was working from a "snooper" work platform (a cherry-picker style machine used to lower workers over the sides of bridges) sandblasting a bridge over a dam. The outrigger was not extended on the passenger side of the snooper truck and the interlock micro switches were not operable. When the employee swung the work platform 180 degrees to work on the other side of the bridge, the truck fell over the dam spillway 90 feet below. During the investigation, it was noted that the outrigger micro switch on the snooper side was ok. The outrigger micro switch on the drivers side was wired down. The turret micro switch on the passenger side was missing and the outrigger micro switch on the passenger side was defective.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.21(b)(2)	Employees were not trained in the proper and safe operation of the snooper truck: (a) proper deployment procedures used when platform is extended out from bridge in that they should not ride the platform while it is being lowered into position and (b) employees not trained in inspection procedures used to check proper functioning of safety interlocks on the turret and outriggers of the machine.
1926.556(a)(2)	Modifications made to snooper truck were not certified by the manufacturer or equivalent entity: (a) platform made wider and (b) electric interlock switches on the turret were modified. The switch on the drivers side was wired down, the torrent micro switch on the passenger side was missing and the outrigger micro switch on the passenger side was defective.

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EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL/FACILITY RELATED
CASE NUMBER: 33
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: Sheet Metal & Roofing Contractors				SIC: 1761
ACCIDENT TYPE: Possible Electrocution				DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/30/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform Near Building				TIME OF INCIDENT: 3:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	19	Sheet Metal Helper

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

The employee was standing in an aerial work platform setting metal screws with a one fourth inch hand held electric powered drill in the ventilation system of a building. The employee was using a defective power cord. The grounding prong was missing and live parts were exposed on the cord.

The employee slumped to the floor of the bucket when the motor on the lift was started and he could not be revived. Just as the motor started, he was heard to say "cut it off". The weather was hot and the employee very sweaty. It was possibly an electrocution although the employee had a history of asthma.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.403(e)	An electrical cord with live parts showing was not repaired with insulation equivalent to the original exposing employees to electrical shock.
1926.404(b)	Ground fault-circuit interrupters were not utilized with 100 foot light duty electric power cord.
1926.404(f)(6)	One-hundred foot electric power cord with the grounding prong missing was not repaired or removed.
1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)	Extension cord used not designed for hard or extra hard usage.
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	A belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employee working from aerial lift.

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OTHER
CASE NUMBER: 34
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT: General Building Contractor				SIC: 1542
ACCIDENT TYPE: Fall From Cherry Picker				DATE OF INCIDENT: 10/13/89
WORK LOCATION: Aerial Lift Platform				TIME OF INCIDENT: 2:00 pm
AFFECTED WORKER(S):				NO. FATALITIES: 1
Injury	Sex	Age	Job Description
F	M	61	Jobsite Superintendent

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

There was no witness to the incident. The jobsite superintendent was found lying on the ground beneath the cherry picker whose bucket was 15 feet above the ground and positioned near the middle of the lot. The employee suffered multiple injuries and subsequently died the same day of the incident at the hospital. Occlusive coronary heart disease was noted. The cherry picker had a bucket on a 70 foot boom and a 650 lbs. capacity. It was being used to reach different heights of a three story building being erected.

It was not known precisely what he was doing at the time of the incident. He did not have any tools in the bucket nor was he wearing his safety belt. The deceased had a triple heart bypass seven years prior to the incident. He was qualified to operate the aerial lift and had been employed by the firm 17 years.

STANDARDS CITED RELATED TO THE INCIDENT:

1926.556(b)(2)(v)

A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or bucket was not worn by employee(s) working from an aerial lift.

See Appendix A (Table I) for a summary of cases by type of incident classification. Twenty-two of the 34 incidents or 65% were related to operating procedural problems. These included failure to take proper safety procedures around energized power lines, elevating or otherwise moving aerial platform (bucket/basket) into energized power lines, careless operation of the truck or vehicle on which the platform was mounted and failure to extend or extend properly the outriggers (stabilizers) among others. The top two categories (first two above) accounted for well over one-third (36% or 8 of 22) of the operational procedural problems within this type of incident classification.

Eleven or 32% of the 34 cases were related to failure of equipment, material or facility related. These incidents included those where hydraulic cylinders operating the boom failed in over one fourth of the cases (3 of 11) of which one case resulted in two deaths. In a separate case, the upper connection of the hydraulic lift cylinder broke at a weld. Other classifications involved two cases where there were defective or inoperable controls. A separate case involved operator controls not being clearly marked as to function resulting in maneuvering errors. These four categories accounted for about two-thirds (7 of 11) in this type of incident classification.

There were no cases that directly involved environmental conditions such as high winds, ice, snow etc. while the aerial devices were operating. The remaining case was classified as other and was related to a possible heart attack.

The 34 incidents resulted in 35 deaths. See Appendix A (Table II).

Summaries by types of accidents show that falls and contact with electric current (electrocutions) together resulted in four out of five of the fatal injuries.

Falls accounted for 40% (14 of 35) of the fatalities. Five of these occurred when the boom failed (hydraulic cylinder related) and the employee fell with the platform. Five resulted from the overturn of the vehicle or truck on which the platform and boom were mounted. Free falls from the platform numbered three. One fatal accident occurred when the worker left the bucket and attempted to climb down the nearby pole when the controls jammed. See case 26. Not included in these fourteen deaths are four that occurred when the worker was electrocuted and then fell.

Electrocutions (including electrocution followed by fall) resulted in 40% (14 of 35) of the deaths. These fatalities occurred when the worker came in contact with energized electrical lines or other sources of electricity while in the bucket except in the two cases that follow. One worker was out of the bucket and on a pole when electrocuted. One accident occurred when a worker on the ground touched a vehicle whose boom was in contact with overhead power lines. See cases 4 and 14.

Other fatalities occurred when workers were pulled or thrown from the bucket when the truck was moving (four fatalities) and when crushed between parts of the platform and other surfaces (two). The remaining fatality resulted when the aerial rig tilted and the worker struck his head against a column.

B. Employee Activity at the Time of Injury

Appendix A (Table III) shows that the employees were performing normal work activities in 83% of the fatalities (29 of 35) involving such tasks as replacing light bulbs, working on power lines, trimming trees etc. Over one-half of these tasks involved work with or near electrical lines or other sources of electrical current during normal work activities. Other then normal activities or the activity could not be determined accounted for 11% and 6% respectively of the 35 fatalities.

See Appendix A (Table IV) for locations of the workers at the time of the fatal incident.

C. Standards Cited

There were no citations in six of the 34 incidents. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act was cited only once in a total of 77 citations. See Appendix B for a listing of relevant standards cited.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act (General Duty Clause) which states that "each employer shall furnish each of his employees employment and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious harm to his employees" was cited once for the following reason:

The employees were exposed to the unintentional movement of the aerial lift. The guard for the upper operating control was broken thus allowing the control to be accidently activated by other equipment or materials.

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IV. CONCLUSIONS

A. Problem Areas

Some problem areas concerning vehicle mounted elevating and rotating work platforms that suggest further need for standards development, modifications and enforcement are indicated below:

There was exposure to electrical shock while working from aerial platform from failure to take proper precautions near energized electrical sources and when moving the platform (bucket/basket) in the vicinity of overhead power lines.

Failure of the hydraulic cylinders on booms including attachment to boom (weld failures) resulted in the fall of the platform with the employee.

The upper controls of the aerial device were not clearly marked or controls were defective or inoperable.

Falls occurred when outriggers were not placed or placed improperly and equipment overturned.

There were falls from lifts due to failure to provide and use safety belts attached to lanyards that were tied off to the boom or bucket.

Workers were pulled or otherwise dislodged from the platform while the truck was in motion.

B. Secondary Factors

In the case report narratives, factors are mentioned that contribute to the incident and cut across all personnel aerial device accidents. They can be considered secondary causes and should be taken into account in any effort to reduce serious accidents. These include:

Failure to understand and heed warnings. (see case 24)

Lack of adequate lighting in area. (see case 16)

Health problems of workers. (see case 34)

Operating borrowed, unfamiliar equipment. (see case 15)

C. Preventive Measures

A review of the types of incidents and secondary factors illustrates that fatal incidents are complex events. Multiple points of attack are needed to address human, machine and environmental interactions resulting in fatal incidents. These preventive measure include:

Establishment and strict enforcement of safety standards covering good safety procedures and practices in the use of aerial devices by workers at the worksite and at critical times, through tailgate discussions and direct supervision at the work location. These include measures to prevent falls and electrocutions.

Improved preventive maintenance and regular maintenance procedures and frequencies to reduce equipment failure.

Improved efforts in training and education through the use of required work and safety procedures and better knowledge of OSHA Safety Standards. Greater attention should be given to employees with language deficiencies.

Improved supervision, particular for the new worker, in providing and requiring specific safety measures to be followed and emphasizing general safety awareness.

Provide more information to the employers by way of consultation programs.

In summary, deaths from falls with the platform when the boom failed, when the truck overturned with the worker in the platform and when the worker fell from the platform while aloft, resulted in 40% of the 35 fatalities.

Deaths from electrocution resulting from contact with electrical current (overhead power lines, transformers, etc.) resulted in another 40% of the total. Included are electrocutions followed by a fall (4 fatalities).

Two types of accidents, falls and contact with electric current (electrocutions) together accounted for four our of five of the fatalities included in this study.

Other deaths occurred as a result of the worker being pulled, thrown, knocked etc. from the platform when the truck was in motion (11% or 4 of 35), crushed between the platform guards/parts and another surface (6% or 2 of 35) and striking head against surface when the aerial device tilted (3% or 1 of 35).

Since well over a third of the fatalities were linemen (See Table V in Appendix A) utility companies should review safe work procedures with this category of workers on a more frequent basis than with other workers. Lineman have a greater exposure to falls and electrocutions.

D. Data Source

The OSHA Compliance Officer's case files resulting from accident investigations provide more detailed description of how occupational fatalities occur than any other data currently available to OSHA. This data source continues to be useful for studying the occurrence and nature of work fatalities when cases are aggregated by specific topics, e.g., by industry (oil/gas well drilling and services), by work activity (welding), by equipment used (ladders, scaffolds, etc.), by work location (confined work spaces) and so on. The information can then be analyzed further by various classification systems. Since the data are in-house, access is relatively easy. On the other hand, the uniformity, consistency and quality of the case file data used vary from narrative to narrative. The OSHA fatality/catastrophe codes in present use are too broad and are poorly defined in many instances.

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Occupational Safety and Health Administration, General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910), OSHA 2206, U.S. Department of Labor, 1978.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Construction Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1926/1910), OSHA 2207, U.S. Department of Labor, 1983.

American National Standards Institute, American National Standard for Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms, ANSI A92.2-1969

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Classification of Variables Tables

Type of Incident	Number of Incidents
** Operating Procedure
Failure to take proper safety procedures near power line	5
Moved Aerial Platform (basket/bucket) into power line	3
Careless operation of truck/vehicle (aerial lift)	2
Outriggers were not extended or were extended improperly	2
Failure to operate boom safely, boom off center	2
Untrained/unfamiliar with aerial lift and allowed to operate	2
Cut into energized lines/wires	1
Front wheels of aerial lift vehicle slipped off trailer	1
Control overreaction while operating bucket	1
Failed to follow instruction	1
Lack of visual/oral communication	1
Dangerous work position without fall protection	1
** Subtotal **	22
** Equipment/Material/Facility Related
Failure of hydraulic cylinder	3
Defective or inoperable controls	2
Upper controls/lower controls not clearly marked	1
Outriggers sank into soft dirt	1
Guard on operating controls was broken	1
Connection of hydraulic lift cylinder broke at weld	1
Outriggers did not work properly, defective controls	1
Defective power cord	1
** Subtotal **	11
** Other
Possible Heart Attack	1
** Subtotal**	1
*** Total***	34

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Type of Incident	Number of Fatalities
Contact with electric current (electrocution)	10
Fall with platform (bucket/basket) when boom failed	5
Fall with boom and platform when truck overturned	5
Electrocuted then fell from platform/pole	4
Fall from aerial lift bucket/basket	3
Crushed between platform guards/parts and another surface	2
Pulled from aerial lift by cable while vehicle in motion	1
Run over by truck after being knocked from platform	1
Thrown from basket when lift vehicle slipped off trailer	1
Got out of basket to climb down from pole, fell	1
Fell with bucket after striking transformer cross bar	1
Struck head against column when aerial rig tilted	1
*** Total ***	35

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Employee Activity at Time of Injury	Number of Fatalities
** Normal Job Activity
Replacing light bulbs/neon units	4
Installation power service lines/preparing to relocate	3
Trimming/pruning trees/preparing to do so	3
Repositioning bucket/platform	2
Inspecting, checking, etc	2
Working with insulators/arresters	2
Changing cross arm on utility pole	2
Working with anchors/guy wires	1
Unloading bucket truck from trailer	1
Repairing down lines after storm	1
Grounding wires/apparatus	1
Setting screws with a power tools	1
Working with TV cable	1
Using aerial lift to reach access door on bridge underside	1
Sandblasting bridge surface	1
Erecting towers for a sub-station	1
Working on sectionalizer jumper	1
Installing wire shields at power structure	1
** Subtotal **	29
** Other Than Normal Job Activity
Relocating to another work site	2
Attempting to climb down pole after leaving platform	1
Checking out repairs on bucket truck	1
** Subtotal **	4
** Unknown Activity or Not Clear
Can not be determined	2
* Subtotal **	2
** Total ***	35

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Work Location	Number of Fatalities
In aerial platforms/bucket/basket near overhead power lines	10
On/near utility pole, e.g., light pole	6
In aerial platform near buildings/constructions	4
In basket of aerial lift near bridge	3
Aerial tower basket near power substation	1
In basket near TV cable lines	1
In aerial platform while truck was in motion	1
In aerial platform at repair shop	1
In aerial platform in pole yard	1
In aerial platform near structural steel	1
In aerial platform near trees	1
In basket of aerial lift being unloaded from trailer	1
On ground near aerial lift truck	1
In aerial lift platform in orchard	1
In aerial lift bucket near power structure	1
In aerial lift device near neon sign	1
*** Total ***	35

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OCCUPATION	NUMBER OF FATALITIES
Lineman	13
Serviceman	2
Utility Construction Worker	2
Lead Line Mechanic	1
Painter	1
Cable TV Lineman	1
Mechanic	1
Job Site Superintendent	1
Sheet Metal Helper	1
Foreman, Construction	1
Service Technician	1
Company President	1
Ironworker	1
Inspector	1
Construction Laborer	1
Tree Trimmer	1
Operator/Mechanic	1
Lineman Crew Leader	1
Electric Company Owner	1
Electric Foreman	1
Orchard Worker	1
TOTAL	35

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STANDARDS CITED

VEHICLE MOUNTED ELEVATION AND ROTATING WORK PLATFORMS
FREQUENCY OF STANDARDS CITED

Standards Cited Related to Incident	Description	Number of Times Cited
1910.67 (b)(1)	Aerial devices designed and constructed in accordance with ANSI A92.2-1969	1
1910.67(b)(4)(i)(A)	Minimum clearance between power lines and aerial lifts (10 feet)	1
1910.67(b)(4)(i)	Minimum clearances aerial lifts/ power lines	1
1910.67(b)(4)(iii)	Notification of power line owners before nearby operations of aerial lift	1
1910.67(c)(2)(ii)	Only trained persons shall operate aerial lift	2
1910.67(c)(2)(v)	Use of attached body belt	8
1910.67(c)(2)(vii)	Brakes set, outriggers positioned, wheel chocks on incline	2
1910.67(c)(2)(ix)	Upper and lower controls requirement, controls plainly marked as to function	3
1910.132(a)	Personal protective equipment provided used and maintained	1
1910.268(b)(6)	Support structures inspected and determined to be adequately strong before use	1
1910.268(b)(7)	Approach distances to exposed energized overhead power lines and parts	1
1910.268(c)	Employers provide training in precautions and safe practices	2
1910.268(i)(1)	Use of head protection when exposed to high voltage electrical contact	1
1910.268(n)(11)(iv)	Insulated gloves not worn	1
1926.20(b)(4)	Employers permit only employees qualified by training or experience to operate equipment/machine	1
1926.21(b)(2)	Employer instruct employee in recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions	6
1926.26	Illumination of construction areas, aisles, stairs, ramps, runways, etc.	1
1926.50(c)	Availability of trained first aid person	1
1926.100(a)	Use of protective helmets in hazardous areas	1
1926.403(e)	Splicing of electrical conductors	1
1926.404(b)	Branch circuits grounding protection	1
1926.404(f)(6)	Grounding path from circuits, equipment, etc. shall be permanent and continuous	1
1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)	Extension cord used not designed for hard or extra hard usage	1
1926.556(a)(1)	Aerial lifts designed and constructed in accordance with ANSI A92.2-1969	1
1926.556(a)(2)	Field modification" requirements	2
1926.556(b)(2)(i)	Testing of aerial lift controls	3
1926.556(b)(2)(v)	belt worn with attached lanyard Body	13
1926.556(b)(2)(vii)	Brakes set, outriggers on solid surface, wheel chocks used on inclines	1
1926.556(b)(2)(ix)	Upper and lower controls requirements	6
1926.556(b)(2)(xi)	Insulated portions of aerial lifts shall not be altered	1
1926.950(c)(1)(i)	Approaching or taking electrical conductive object specifications	1
1926.950(c)(1)(i)	Employee insulated and guarded from energized parts	1
1926.950(c)(1)(ii)	Guarding and insulation of energized parts from employee	1
1926.950(c)(2)(i)	Minimum working distance and hot stick distance specifications	1
1926.950(d)(1)(ii)(a)	De-energizing supply of electric energy on section of line to be worked on	1
1926.954(d)	De-energized conductors and equipment which are to be grounded; tested for voltage	1
1926.955 (a)(6)	Ground employees to avoid equipment adjacent to energized sources; grounding of lifting equipment.	1
1926.955 (e)(3)	Equipment suitable for bare-hand work	1
1926.955 (e)(14)	Bucket liner was not bonded to energized conductor by positive connection	1
Section 5 (a)(1)	General Duty Clause of OSH Act	1
TOTAL VIOLATIONS		77

(No relevant standards were cited in six of the 34 incidents)

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Definitions

I. GLOSSARY OF VEHICLE-MOUNTED ELEVATING AND ROTATING WORK PLATFORMS TERMS

The following definitions are adapted from the Code of Federal Regulations 29 1910.67 and 1926.556, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Revised as of July 1, 1989:

Aerial Device: Any vehicle-mounted device, telescoping or articulating or both which is used to position personnel.

Aerial Ladder: An aerial device consisting of a single or multiple section extensible ladder.

Articulating Boom Platform: An aerial device with two or more hinged boom sections.

Controls: Upper and lower controls on articulating and extensible boom platforms primarily designed as personnel carriers. Upper controls shall be in or beside the platform. Lower controlsare at the vehicle level and provide for overriding the upper controls.

Extensible Boom Platform: An aerial device (except ladders with a telescope or extensible boom. Telescopic derricks with personnel platform attachments shall be considered to be extensible boom platforms when used with a personnel platform.

Hydraulic Cylinder: The devices operated by fluid under pressure used to move and sustain the boom.

Insulated Aerial Device: An aerial device designed for work or energized lines and apparatus.

Mobile Unit: A combination of an aerial device, its vehicle and related equipment.

Outrigger: An extendable stabilizer positioned on pads or solid ground to prevent the overturning of the vehicle and the mounted boom and platform.

Platform: Any personnel carrying de\ace (basket or bucket) which is a component of an aerial device.

Vehicle: Any carrier that is not manually propelled.

Vertical Tower: An aerial device designed to elevate a platform in a substantially vertical axis.

II. TYPE OF INCIDENT

Operating Procedure

These are incidents that resulted from the employee or employer not following designated work and safety procedures or there were no procedures available. These include safe guarding the work area, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and all work activities under the control of the employer and worker.

Equipment/Material/Facility Related

These are incidents that resulted from malfunctioning of equipment, failure of component parts, collapse of structures, etc., and interaction of such physical conditions in the work location with human activities.

Environmental Conditions

Environmental conditions relate to extreme weather conditions which played a primary part in triggering the incident such as freezing temperature, excessive moisture, etc.

Other

These are incidents that do not meet the proceeding definitions, and cannot be specifically assigned to operating procedures, equipment/material/facility related or environmental conditions.

III. FACTORS RELATED TO FATAL INCIDENT

Human Related Factors

These are factors that can be directly associated with what the worker involved, other worker(s) or the employer did or failed to do that caused the incident. For example, improper or dangerous work procedures were used, safety procedures were not followed or personal protective equipment was not worn when required. Included is any work activity or procedure for such under the direct control of the worker, fellow worker(s) and employer.

Equipment/Material/Facility Related Factors

These factors deal with the physical aspects, e.g. collapse of structures, failure of equipment, etc., of the workplace and the interaction between these and the worker's activities.

Environmental Factors

These factors relate to extreme or unplanned environmental conditions in the workplace which strongly and adversely affect the working conditions. Strong winds, icy surfaces, etc., are examples.

Other Factors

These are factors that cannot be assigned to the other three categories.

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01 Amputation	12 Fracture
02 Asphyxia	13 Freezing Frost/Bite
03 Bruise/Contusion/Abrasion	14 Hearing Loss
04 Burn (Chemical)	15 Heat Exhaustion
05 Burn/Scald (Heat)	16 Hernia
06 Concussion	17 Poisoning (Systemic)
07 Cut/Laceration	18 Puncture
08 Dermatitis	19 Radiation Effects
09 Dislocation	20 Strain/Sprain
10 Electric Shock	21 Other
11 Foreign Body in Eye	22 Cancer

01 Abdomen	17 Lower Arm(s)
02 Arm(s) Multiple	18 Lower Leg(s)
03 Back	19 Multiple
04 Body System	20 Neck
05 Chest	21 Shoulder
06 Ear(s)	22 Upper Arm(s)
07 Elbow(s)	23 Upper Leg(s)
08 Eye(s)	24 Wrist(s)
09 Face	25 Blood
10 Finger(s)	26 Kidney
11 Foot/Feet/Toe(s)Ankle(s)	27 Liver
12 Hand(s)	28 Lung
13 Head	29 Nervous System
14 Hip(s)	30 Reproductive System
15 Knee(s)	31 Other Body System
16 Leg(s)

01 Aircraft	24 Hoisting Apparatus
02 Air Pressure	25 Ladder
03 Animal/Insect/Bird/Reptile/Fish	26 Machine
04 Boat Equipment	27 Materials Handling
05 Bodily Motion	28 Metal Products
06 Boiler/Pressure	29 Motor Vehicle (Highway)
07 Boxes/Barrels, etc.	30 Motor Vehicle (Industrial)
08 Buildings/ Structures	31 Motorcycle
09 Chemical Liquids/Vapors	32 Windstorm/Lighting, etc.
10 Cleaning Compound	33 Firearm
11 Cold (Environmental/Mechanical)	34 Person
12 Dirt/Sand/Stone	35 Petroleum Products
13 Drugs/Alcohol	36 Pump/Prime Mower
14 Dust/Particles/Chips	37 Radiation
15 Electrical Apparatus/Wiring	38 Train/Railroad Equipment
16 Fire/Smoke	39 Vegetation
17 Food	40 Waste Products
18 Furniture/Furnishings	41 Water
19 Gases	42 Working Surface
20 Glass	43 Other
21 Hand Tool (Powered)	44 Fume
22 Hand Tool (Manual)	45 Mists
23 Heat (Environmental/Mechanical)	46 Vibration
	47 Noise
	48 Biological Agent

01 Struck By	09 Ingestion
02 Caught In or Between	10 Absorption
03 Bite/Sting/Scratch	11 Repeated Motion/Pressure
04 Fall (Same Level)	12 Cardio-Vascular/Respiratory System Failure
05 Fall (From Elevation)	13 Shock
06 Struck Against	14 Other
07 Rubbed/Abraded
08 Inhalation

01 Pinch Point Action
02 Catch Point/Puncture Action
03 Shear Point Action
04 Squeeze Point Action
05 Flying Object Action
06 Overhead Moving and/or Falling Object Action
07 Gas/Vapor/Mist/Fume/Smoke/Dust Condition
08 Materials Handling Equipment/Method
09 Chemical Action/Reaction Exposure
10 Flammable Liquid/Solid Exposure
11 Temperature Above or Below Tolerance Level
12 Radiation Condition
13 Working Surface/Facility Layout Condition
14 Illumination
15 Overpressure/Underpressure Condition
16 Sound Level
17 Weather/Earthquake, etc. Condition
18 Other 01 Misjudgement of Hazardous Situation
04 Malfunction of Procedure for Securing Operation or Warning of Hazardous Situation
05 Distracting Actions by Others
06 Equipment in Use Not Appropriate for Operation or Process
07 Malfunction of Neuro-Muscular System
08 Malfunction of Perception System with Respect to Task Environment
09 Safety Devices Removed or Inoperative
10 Operational Position Not Appropriate for Task
11 Procedure for Handling Materials Not Appropriate for Task
12 Defective Equipment: Knowingly Used
13 Malfunction of Procedure for Lock-Out or Tag-Out
14 Other
15 Insufficient or Lack of Housekeeping Program
16 Insufficient or Lack of Exposure or Biological Monitoring
17 Insufficient or Lack of Engineering Controls
18 Insufficient or Lack of Written Work Practices Program
19 Insufficient or Lack of Respiratory Protection
20 Insufficient or Lack of Protection Work Clothing and Equipment
Available Studies in the Occupational
Fatality Series

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The following publications by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor have been placed in the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and are available. The publications number and cost per copy* are noted:

Occupational Fatalities Related to Fixed Machinery as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, May 1978. PB 80-181035, $13,95

Occupational Fatalities Related to Scaffolds as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, May 1979. PB 80-182009, $13.95

Occupational Fatalities Related to Ladders as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, November 1979. PB 80-153471, $13.95

Occupational Fatalities Related to Roofs, Ceilings, and Floors as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, November 1979. PB 80-161136, $18.95

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Oil/Gas Well Drilling Rigs as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, June 1980. PB 80-226939, $13.95

Occupational Fatalities Related to Miscellaneous Working Surfaces as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, April 1982. PB 83-125732, $18.95

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Fire and/or Explosion in Confined Work Spaces as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, April 1982. PB 82-237314, $18.95

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Lockout/Tagout Problems as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, August 1982. PB 83-125724, $18.95

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Grain Handling as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigation, January 1983. PB 83-170795, $18.95

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Powered Two-Point Suspension Scaffolds/Powered Platforms as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, March 1983. PB 83-194050. $11.95

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Oil/Gas Well Drilling and Servicing as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, December 1983. PB 84-154095, $30.95 ($6.50 per microfiche copy)

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Toxic and Asphyxiating Atmospheres in Confined Work Spaces as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, July 1985. PB 86-144920/AS, $24.95 ($6.95 per microfiche copy)

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Trenching and Excavation as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, July 1985. PB 86-155041/AS, $18.95 ($6.50 per microfiche copy)

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Welding and Cutting as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, August 1988.

PB 89-117527/AS, $28.95 ($6.95 per microfiche copy)

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Logging as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, December 1988. PB 89-142954/AS, $21.95 (&6.95 per microfiche copy)

Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Ship Building and Repairing as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, January 1990. PB 90-163205, $31.00 ($8.00 per microfiche copy)

Copies of these publications may be obtained from the following address:

• National Technical Information Service
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161

• Telephone Information: (703) 487-4600
• Telephone Sales Desk: (03) 487-4650

* Prices subject to change without notice. Please contact NTIS to verify cost.