Ironworker dies following an 18-foot fall from structural steel framework - Alaska.
Source
NIOSH 1992 Oct; :1-6
Abstract
A 41-year-old male ironworker (the victim) died after falling from a structural steel framework to a concrete floor during the construction of an automobile repair shop. The victim and two other ironworkers (co-workers) were assembling the steel frame "skeleton" (measuring 50 feet wide, 86 feet long and 18 feet high at the roof edge) of the structure. Sway-bracing rods had not been installed between the beams (combination column-roof truss units), the bolts at the base of the beams had not been fully tightened, and two steel beams had not yet been connected at the roof-line apex. As the victim walked on top of a stack of unsecured purlins (steel joists) along one edge of the frame to make a final measurement, the frame began to sway. The victim lost his balance, and fell 18 feet to the concrete floor, receiving fatal injuries. There was not fall protection equipment in place, and the victim was not wearing a helmet. NIOSH investigators concluded that in order to prevent similar occurrences in the future, employers should: 1. ensure that workers follow building plans and procedures for pre-fabricated structures, and comply with existing standards regarding structural steel assembly 2. ensure that workers comply with existing standards regarding the use of personnel hoists and work platforms 3. ensure that workers comply with existing standards regarding the use of personal protective equipment 4. ensure that workers develop and implement a jobsite hazard analysis as an ongoing part of each construction phase.
Keywords
Accident-analysis; Accident-potential; Accident-prevention; Accidents; Injuries; Injury-prevention; Safety-education; Safety-equipment; Safety-practices; Safety-measures; Traumatic-injuries; Region-10; Work-practices; Work-analysis; Work-environment; Occupational-accidents; Occupational-hazards; Personal-protection; Personal-protective-equipment; Safety-helmets; Steel-industry; Steelworkers; Construction; Construction-industry
Document Type
Field Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
NTIS Accession No.
PB93-160885
Identifying No.
FACE-92AK011; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-007089
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Performing Organization
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
