Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Minnesota: Carpenter Dies From Injuries Sustained After Falling 14 Feet When Scaffold Collapsed.

摘要

The victim was working alone at the time that the unwitnessed incident occurred. As a result, this report is based upon information obtained during the site investigation interview and an inspection of the incident site. A 39-year-old male independent contractor (victim) died of injuries sustained when he fell 14 feet after the scaffold he was standing on collapsed. The victim was doing general carpentry work on a room that was being added onto an existing home. Triangular scaffold brackets were fastened with nails to the exterior side of the room walls. A piece of lumber, 2 inches by 12 inches by 10 feet long, was laid on the brackets to provide a scaffold platform from which the victim worked. Roof trusses for the room extended approximately 2 feet beyond the exterior surface or side of the room walls. As a result, the 2 inch by 12 inch scaffold platform board was positioned approximately 2 feet from the room wall to enable the victim to walk on the scaffold platform. Either while the victim stood on the platform near one end of the scaffold board, or when he stepped from the roof onto the platform, one of the triangular brackets pulled free from the room wall. The scaffold collapsed and the victim fell approximately 14 feet to the ground. The triangular bracket fell and stuck in the sod. The victim fell on the bracket and sustained severe lacerations of the groin. He was transported within minutes to a local hospital where he died approximately 40 minutes after the incident. MN FACE investigators concluded that to reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences, employers should: (1) ensure that triangular scaffold brackets are securely fastened with bolts; (2) utilize contract language that requires subcontractors to implement a site-specific safety and health program prior to the initiation of work; (3) routinely conduct scheduled and unscheduled work place safety inspections; and (4) develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive written safety program.