Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for California: Fumigator Falls Off Roof during Tenting and Dies

摘要

A 35-year old fumigator (decedent) died when he fell 22 feet off the second-story roof of a single-family residence and hit his head on a ground-level, concrete sidewalk. The decedent and his crew were placing tarps over the residence prior to fumigation. After the tarps had been placed on the second-story, the decedent went to the roof edge to straighten a tarp so it would hang properly. He lost his balance and fell. The employer did not use and did not have available fall protection for employees. The employer had no written instructions for the tarp laying (commonly called tenting) procedure. The employer also did not have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) but did have a code of safe practices which were generic in nature. The CA/FACE investigator determined that, in order to prevent future occurrences, employers should: (1) provide fall protection or alternative methods for employees who work at heights. (2) employ external lighting when working after dark. (3) ensure employees do not approach a roof edge so closely that it places them in danger of falling off. (4) develop a written procedure which covers the manner in which tarp laying should be performed.