Project Manager Dies after Falling through Skylight—Kentucky

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

On January 30, 2023, a 59-year-old roofing project manager (victim) was performing a post-purchase roof inspection for the buyer of a commercial warehouse. In the process, the victim stepped on a polycarbonate skylight and fell to the surface below.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:

• Failure to recognize job hazards,
• Failure to guard skylights with railings or skylight screen,
• Failure to utilize fall protection when working at heights,
• Failure to enforce the use of fall protection.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Kentucky investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:

• Implement a job hazard analysis process;
• Guard skylights with railings or a skylight screen;
• Require and enforce the use of fall protection when working at heights above 6 feet;
• Consider prevention through design (PtD) to “design out” or minimize hazards and risk.

Project Manager Dies after Falling through Skylight—Kentucky [PDF – 851KB]