Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Massachusetts: Self-Employed Electrician Dies While Driving Aerial Lift in Parking Garage

摘要

On October 3, 1998, a 39 year old male self-employed electrician died of injuries sustained when he struck his head on a steel overhead beam while driving an aerial lift truck. The incident occurred in a privately-owned parking garage where the victim had been contracted to change the ballasts in light fixtures located on the top floor (roof) of the garage. The victim was transporting the aerial lift truck down the ramp of the garage when the incident occurred. The victim was riding on the outside of the lift and ducking under the beams when his head struck a beam. A garage patron leaving the garage found the victim and immediately went for help. Police, fire and emergency medical services personnel soon arrived at the scene. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital emergency room where he was admitted and died two days later. The MA FACE Program concluded that to prevent similar future occurrences: Contractors and tradespeople should: (1) Never ride on the outside of an aerial lift truck. (2) Perform a hazard analysis of each job, bring the proper personal protective equipment, in this case, a hard-hat, to the job site and wear it. In addition: (3) Manufacturers should consider including specific instructions for the operation of special use aerial lift trucks.