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Welder dies after falling 22 feet from a roof at mall construction site in Maryland, November 4, 1989.

Authors
NIOSH
Source
Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 90-19, 1990 Jun; :1-6
Link
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full9019.html
NIOSHTIC No.
00206129
Abstract
The case of a 48 year old male welder who died after falling 22 feet from the roof of a mall under construction was examined. He had worked for a small construction welding firm for only 5 days before the accident, but had 20 years experience as a welder. The company had contracted to weld structural steel components at a new mall complex. He was electric arc welding bridging between the roof bar joists which were 22 feet above the ground. He was wearing a safety belt and lanyard, but was not tied off at the time of the accident. His welding cables became snagged. He stood on a bundle of roof decking and tried to free the cables by whipping them up and down and pulling on them. The welding cable connectors separated and the victim lost his balance, falling headfirst to the ground. He died less than 1 hour after the fall from neck injuries. It was recommended that employers provide the necessary safety equipment and means to properly use the equipment; that employers develop and implement safe methods of handling welding cables; that employers develop and implement a comprehensive safety training program with task specific safety procedures; and that employers consider the use of other approaches for reducing worker exposure to falls from elevations.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Region-3; FACE-90-19; Accident-analysis; Safety-practices; Construction-workers; Welding-industry; Construction-industry; Traumatic-injuries; Occupational-accidents; Construction-Search
Publication Date
19900607
Document Type
Field Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation
Fiscal Year
1990
NTIS Accession No.
PB92-184084
NTIS Price
A02
Identifying No.
FACE-90-19
NIOSH Division
DSR
SIC Code
NAICS-23
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
State
MD; WV
Page last reviewed: September 2, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division