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Fall, Different Level: Fatal Fact #14
Construction Company Type: Painting Contractor
Accident Description:
Two employees were painting the exterior of a three-story building when one of the two outriggers on their two-point suspension scaffold failed. One painter safely climbed back onto the roof while the other fell approximately 35 feet to his death. The outriggers were inadequately counterweighted with three 5-gailon buckets containing sand and were not secured to a structurally sound portion of the building. Neither painter was wearing an approved safety belt and lanyard attached to an independent lifeline.
OSHA Recommendations:
- Develop and maintain a safety and health program to provide guidance for safe operations (29 CFR 1926.20(b)(1)).
- Institute, a program for frequent and regular inspections of the job site, as well as materials and equipment by a competent person(s) (29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2)).
- Instruct each employee on how to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions which apply to the work and work areas (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
- Construct scaffolds and their components so that they can support at least four times the maximum intended load (29 CFR 1926.451(a)(7)).
- Install outrigger tiebacks of ¾ inch rope, or equivalent, to a structurally sound portion of the building to provide a secondary means of anchorage (29 CFR 1926.451(i)(4)).
- Require employees to wear approved safety belt and lanyard equipment attached to an independent lifeline that is attached to a substantial structural member (29 CFR 1926.451(i)(8)).
Inspection Results
As a result of its investigation, OSHA issued citations for five serious and two other than serious violations of its construction standards. OSHA's construction safety standards include several requirements which, if they had been followed here, might have prevented this fatality.
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.
- "Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Powered, Two-Point Suspension Scaffolds/ Powered Platforms as Found in Re-ports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations" (available from the National Technical Information Service - Order No. PB83-194-050).
- 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 ad-vice (listed under the U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSH programs).
Accident Details: Fall, Different Level |
|
| Company Type: | Painting Contractor |
| Crew Size: | 2 |
| Union/Collective Bargaining? | No |
| Weather: | Clear, Warm |
| Worksite Inspection? | No |
| Designated Competent Person on Site? | No |
| Employer Safety and Health Program? | No |
| Training and Education for Employees? | No |
| Craft of Deceased Worker(s): | Painter |
| Age / Sex of Deceased Worker(s): | 29; male |
| Experience or Time on Job: | Unknown |
| Time on Project: | 1 month |
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