Abstract
On February 13, 2003, a 24-year-old Hispanic painter (the victim) was electrocuted when the metal ladder he was repositioning contacted an overhead powerline. The victim and his co-workers were painting several two-story townhouses. The victim attempted to reposition the 28-foot-aluminum extension ladder he was using. Several seconds later, the foreman heard a buzzing sound and observed the victim gripping his ladder before falling to the ground. The co-workers ran to help the victim while the foreman called 911. The employees performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the victim, who had no pulse and was not breathing. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police personnel responded within 5 minutes. EMS personnel continued CPR on the victim while transporting him to the local hospital. The victim was pronounced dead in the hospital emergency room. NIOSH investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. eliminate the use of conductive ladders in proximity to energized overhead powerlines; 2. conduct a jobsite survey during the planning phases of any construction to identify potential hazards, and to develop and implement appropriate control measures for these hazards; and, 3. develop, implement and enforce a comprehensive safety and training program in language(s) and literacy level(s) of workers, which includes training in hazard recognition and the avoidance of unsafe conditions. Additionally, general contractors should ensure through contract language that all subcontractors implement appropriate safety and health programs and training specific to the work to be performed. Additionally, ladder manufacturers should consider affixing dual language labels with graphics to provide hazard warnings and instructions for safe use of equipment.
