 |
 U.S.
Department of Labor
Occupational Safety
and Health Administration
No. 24 |
|
| ACCIDENT
SUMMARY |
| Accident
Type |
Fall |
| Weather |
Cold |
| Type
of Operation |
General
Contractor |
| Crew
Size |
25 |
| Collective
Bargaining |
Yes |
| Competent
Safety Monitor on Site? |
No |
| Safety
and Health Program in Effect? |
No |
| Was
the Worksite Inspected Regularly? |
No |
| Training
and Education Provided? |
Yes |
| Employee
Job Title |
Laborer |
| Age/Sex |
31/M |
| Experience
at this Type of Work |
6
years |
| Time
on Project |
3
weeks |
|
 |
| BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT |
| An
employee was standing on a six-inch wide plank laid between
two adjacent I-beams 14 feet above a concrete floor. He
was using a jackhammer to chip away an old concrete and
brick floor from a horizontal I-beam. Apparently he lost
his balance and fell to the floor below, sustaining fatal
head injuries. He was not wearing any fall protection gear
nor were floor openings guarded by standard railings and
toe boards or covers. |
| INSPECTION
RESULTS |
| As
a result of its investigation, OSHA issued citations for
one repeat, two serious and two other than serious violations
of its construction standards. Had guard rails been installed
or the employee worn fall protective gear, the accident
probably would not have occurred. |
| ACCIDENT
PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS |
- Appropriate
fall protective gear must be worn by employees where
there is risk of falling (29 CFR 1926.28(a)).
- Floor
openings must be guarded with standard railing (20 CFR
1926.500(b)(1)),
- A
safety program must be established to prevent accidents.
It must include frequent and regular inspections of
job sites, materials, and equipment by a competent person
(29 CFR 1926.20(b)(1) and (b)(2)).
|
| SOURCES
OF HELP |
- Construction
Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207) which contains
OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations (1926
and 1910) covering construction.
- "Occupational
Fatalities related to Roofs, Ceilings, and Floors as
Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations,
" available from the National Technical Information
Service, 5286 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161,
(703) 487-4650, publication no. PB-80-161-136, $16,
prepaid.
- OSHA
Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction
(available from the National Technical Information Service
- Order No. PB-239-309/SET) designed to help construction
employers establish a training program in the safe use
of equipment, tools, and machinery on the job.
- OSHA-funded
free onsite consultation services. Consult your telephone
directory for the number of your local OSHA area or
regional office for further assistance and advice (listed
under the U.S. Labor Department or under the state government
section where states administer their own OSH programs).
- Courses
in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training
Institute, 1555 Times Dr., Des Plaines, Ill. 60018.
(312) 297-4810.
|
NOTE:
The case here described was selected as being representative
of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No
special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case
necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of
the incident have been resolved, and the case is now
closed.
[62
FR 40141, July 25, 1997]
|
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