Construction Siding Subcontractor Installer Killed when Oversized Scaffolding Platform Destabilized and Telescopic Forklift Overturned, Kentucky
Kentucky Case Report: 15KY032
Release Date: April 25, 2016
SUMMARY
On Monday, June 15, 2015, two siding subcontract installers were standing on a 4 foot by 16 foot platform suspended 40 feet in the air, installing exterior insulation on the north wall of a newly constructed aircraft hangar. The platform was secured to the forks of a rough terrain telescopic forklift truck. At approximately 11:30 am, they signaled for the foreman, who was operating the forklift, to lower the platform. The foreman tilted the frame of the platform in order to avoid scraping the wall of the building during the platform descent, and lost control of the lever handle. The tilt became more pronounced and the weight of the 40 foot extended platform caused the forklift to turn over onto its left side slamming the platform onto the concrete ground below, killing the 23-year-old siding installer victim, and injuring the second siding installer. A laborer witness also performing work at the site called Emergency Medical Services (EMS). EMS arrived within four minutes. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the second injured siding installer was airlifted to a major trauma center for treatment.