Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Kentucky: Lumber Company Employee Falls 48 Feet from Storage Rack to His Death

摘要

In October 1998, a 58-year-old male truck driver/yard worker (the victim) died of traumatic head injuries when he fell 48 feet from a storage rack. The victim climbed onto the storage rack to retrieve 3/4 feet round molding, 8 feet in length for a customer. The victim was standing on pine boards that were stored on the middle row and was trying to retrieve molding being stored above (approximately 9 feet off the floor). After he cut the bundle string to release the individual molding pieces, he began to pull the pieces out horizontally. As the pieces were removed, he handed them to the customer to load into his truck. He apparently lost his balance, fell back and struck his head on the concrete floor. The customer had been arranging items in the back of his truck and did not see the victim fall. However, when he heard a thump, he turned around and found the victim laying face up on the concrete. The customer ran to find another employee to call 911 and then went back and stayed with the victim until EMS arrived. EMS arrived and transported the victim to the local hospital. After examination, the victim was air flighted to a major metropolitan hospital where he subsequently died. The cause of death was traumatic head injuries. In order to prevent similar incidents from occurring, FACE investigators recommend: (1) Employees should use ladders or moveable stairs when retrieving materials which cannot be reached from floor level. (2) A written policy should be developed regarding when ladders or moveable stairs are required and how they are to be used. (3) Employees should be trained about the policy and how to identify and address fall hazards in the workplace.