Roofing Worker Dies from Fall—Kentucky
Kentucky Case Report: 22ky011
Release Date: June 13, 2023
The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
SUMMARY
At 1:30 p.m. on March 28, 2022, a 36-year-old Hispanic roofer suffered a fatal fall while installing roofing on a two-story apartment building. The worker fell approximately 18 feet to a sidewalk below and died on the scene due to injuries suffered from the fall.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:
- Working at height
- Need for fall protection
- Need for effective safety training
- Need for effective safety policies
- Need for subcontractor comprehensive safety and health programs
RECOMMENDATIONS
Kentucky FACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:
- Implement a job hazard analysis (JHA) process
- Ensure that workers utilize fall protection when exposed to falls at height
- Provide workers with training appropriate to the hazards they may face while at work
- Establish and administer written safety policies with clear work rules and ensure that workers follow them
- Ensure that subcontractors have comprehensive safety and health programs in place