Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Iowa: Construction Worker Falls to His Death While Repairing Elevator

摘要

A 43 year old male construction worker with an out-of-state elevator repair company was one of two men repairing a commercial elevator damaged from an explosion in the fall of 1994. He was working inside the 'star silo' at an elevation of 110 feet, drilling holes into the concrete wall of the silo and securing re-bar in preparation for a concrete patch. The men were using a wooden triangular scaffold suspended by 3 electric cable-climbers. The victim was standing outside the handrail, on the ends of 2x12s, not wearing a harness and lanyard, although these items were available at the job site. One corner of the scaffold suddenly shifted down two or more feet. The victim lost his balance and fell to the concrete floor below. He was killed instantly from multiple injuries. Recommendations following our investigation were as follows: (1) All suspended scaffold workers should wear fall protective equipment as required by OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1926.501) and work within the handrail perimeter of suspended scaffolds. (2) Employers should develop, implement and enforce a comprehensive safety program that includes regular training in hazard recognition, and compliance with proper fall protective equipment. (3) Suspension scaffolds and related cable climber equipment must be properly constructed and inspected according to guidelines in 29 CFR 1926.451 (i).