Load of lumber shifts and falls on construction worker killing him.
Authors
Oregon Department of Human Services
Source
Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 03OR016, 2005 May; :1-8
Abstract
A 32-year-old construction worker was killed when a load of lumber being lifted to the second story of a residence under construction, shifted and fell on him. Law enforcement officers investigating the scene reported that another worker was on the second floor helping to guide the load into position and acting as a safety spotter. The equipment that was being used to lift the load was a rough terrain forklift. The load being lifted was extended beyond the ability of the rough terrain type forklift to counterbalance and it upended. The load shifted and the falling bundle of lumber struck the victim, who was attempting to climb through a stairwell hole to access the second floor at the same time. The victim was killed instantly. Neither the loader operator nor the victim was aware of the others position or activity. Recommendations: 1. Never work under a load being lifted into position. No one should be allowed within the swing of a crane or lift, unless they are expected to be there e.g., spotters, guides etc. No one should ever be allowed to be directly under the load at any time. 2. Stay within the safe working parameters of the crane or lift and do not exceed the recommended load or reach specifications. Ensure that all mobile equipment operators are trained or certified in the operation of the equipment prior to use. 3. Designate a person to act as a spotter and communicate with others on site and the equipment operator. There should be a communication system worked out between all workers, i.e., hand signals, whistles, walkie-talkies (if out of visual range). 4. Communicate to workers what kinds of work activities are planned and any safety expectations. 5. Ladders should extend beyond the surface being accessed and tied off to increase stability, when in use.
Keywords
Region-10; Accident-analysis; Accident-prevention; Accidents; Injuries; Injury-prevention; Traumatic-injuries; Work-operations; Work-analysis; Work-areas; Work-performance; Work-practices; Safety-education; Safety-equipment; Safety-measures; Safety-monitoring; Construction; Construction-equipment; Construction-industry; Construction-materials; Construction-workers; Ladders; Step-ladders; Extension-ladders; Equipment-operators
Document Type
Field Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
NTIS Accession No.
PB2006-113384
Identifying No.
FACE-03OR016; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-021204; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-OH-008324
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Performing Organization
Oregon Department of Human Services
