Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Minnesota: Steel Worker Falls 28 Feet to the Ground from Warehouse Construction Site, FACE-95-MN-066-01.

摘要

The victim was working for a construction company at a warehouse site at the time that the incident occurred. The construction company had been subcontracted to erect the steel framework for a 100,000-square-foot warehouse manufacturing facility. The warehouse frame was constructed mainly of vertical steel columns, horizontal 'I' beams, and bar joists. On the day of the incident, the victim was 'shaking out bridging.' The activity involved the distribution of 20 foot long metal pieces. After the bridging was distributed it was to be welded to the bar joists to keep them secured in place. At the time of the incident, columns which supported 'I' beams and bar joists were positioned along the warehouse frame. The victim was working on top of the 'I' beams and bar joists at an elevation of 28 feet. Witnesses reported that prior to falling, the victim had been wearing a body harness attached to a lanyard and a lifeline. The lifeline was secured to the structural steel. While the victim distributed the bridging, he fell from his position on the 'I' beam where he was working. It is unknown why the victim was not attached to the lifeline at the time of the fall. Emergency medical personnel were called and the victim was transported to a hospital where he died thirteen days later. MN FACE investigators concluded that to reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences, the following guidelines should be followed: (1) whenever any work is performed at an elevation where the potential for a serious or fatal fall exists, the employer should ensure that fall protection equipment is provided and used by all employees; and (2) employers should design, develop, and implement a comprehensive safety program.