Ironworker Fell 25 Feet While Working From/Relocating a Ladder in a Shaft way, Michigan

SUMMARY

In fall 2016, a 50-year-old male iron worker fell 25 feet while working from and relocating an unsecured 24-foot fiberglass extension ladder positioned across a 6-foot wide by 8-foot deep open shaft way. The extension ladder feet were set at the immediate edge of elevator shaft way on the second floor of the building. Neither the top (fly) section nor the bottom (base) section of the extension ladder that was spanned across the shaft was secured. The decedent, while wearing his fall harness/retractable lifeline and tied off to an overhead attachment point, stepped over a mid-rail that had been left in position across the shaft way opening and ascended the ladder to reposition a chain fall. After repositioning the rigging, the decedent descended the ladder and unhooked his retractable lifeline from his harness and hooked it to the mid-rail on the second floor wall at the opening of the shaft way. To remove the extension ladder, the decedent (still wearing his harness) stepped over the mid-rail and ascended a few rungs on the ladder. While lifting/bumping the fly section to unlock the rung hooks and allow the ladder to compress in order to move it out of the opening, the ladder feet slipped inward at the base into the shaft way opening and the decedent and ladder fell 25 feet to the concrete first floor. After the incident, the MIOSHA compliance officer measured the ladder length; the ladder was extended to approximately 18 feet 4 inches.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

• The decedent unhooked his lifeline from his harness prior to standing on the ladder while attempting to lower the fly section.
• The base and top of the ladder were unsecured.
• The angle of the ladder across shaftway was too shallow.
• The ladder did not have rope to assist in lowering the fly section.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Workers should always use fall protection when working above a height per the appropriate regulatory requirement. In this incident, the decedent was performing a steel erection activity, and fall protection was required when working at a height above 15 feet.
• Ensure ladders are inspected, set up and used correctly. Remove ladders from service if found defective.
• The employer should consider instituting daily pre-task planning while working on a construction project.

Ironworker Fell 25 Feet While Working From/Relocating a Ladder in a Shaft way, Michiganpdf icon [PDF 740 KB]