Abstract
On Thursday, May 14, 1998, a 40-year-old siding mechanic died four hours after falling approximately 25-feet from an aluminum extension ladder. The victim and three other workers were installing aluminum siding on a 2½ story duplex home, when the accident occurred at 3:15 p.m. He was standing near the top of the ladder holding a 9-foot long by 10-inch wide aluminum siding cap. As he rotated the aluminum cap positioning it for installation, one end of the cap touched a utility wire that runs next to the home. Electricity arced to the house, through the aluminum siding cap, shocking the victim and causing him to fall onto the paved alleyway below the ladder. Emergency medical crews arrived within ten minutes. They resuscitated and then transported the victim to the local trauma center. The victim died approximately four hours later, from injuries received from the fall. The MD/FACE investigator concluded, that to prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. De-energize, ground or effectively guard circuits by insulation or other means before permitting work in the proximity to electrical power lines. 2. Use ladders constructed with non-conductive materials when working near exposed energized electrical equipment. 3. Develop, implement and enforce a safety and health program to instruct employees in hazard recognition and to provide clear guidance on safe work procedures and safe work practices.
