Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Massachusetts: Elevator Mechanic Dies in Twenty Foot Fall from a Fixed Ladder on the Side of a Building

摘要

On June 4, 1998, a 23 year old male mechanic helper died of injuries sustained in a twenty foot fall from a fixed ladder on the side of a warehouse. The victim was climbing the ladder to the roof when the incident occurred. There were no witnesses to exactly what occurred before the fall. An engineer who was climbing the ladder just below the victim immediately yelled for help and aided the victim until emergency medical services arrived. The victim was transported to a nearby baseball field where he was airlifted to an urban trauma center. He died the next day as a result of his injuries. The MA FACE Program concluded that to prevent similar future occurrences: Employers should: (1) Together with employees, develop and implement a site specific health and safety plan for each site under contract. (2) Develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive safety program that includes, but is not limited to, worker training in fall hazard recognition. Building owners should: (3) Consider building outside stairways, where space allows, to provide access to the roof.