ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 14
| Accident Type: |
Fall, Different Level |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Clear, Warm |
| Type of Operation: |
Painting Contractor |
| Size of Work Crew: |
2 |
| Collective Bargaining |
No |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: |
No |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
No |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: |
No |
| Training and Education Provided: |
Inadequate |
| Employee Job Title: |
Painter |
| Age & Sex: |
29-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
Unknown |
| Time on Project: |
1 month |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Two employees were painting the exterior of a three-story building when one of the two outriggers on their two-point suspension scaffold failed. One painter safely climbed back onto the roof while the other fell approximately 35 feet to his death. The outriggers were inadequately counterweighted with three 5-gailon buckets containing sand and were not secured to a structurally sound portion of the building. Neither painter was wearing an approved safety belt and lanyard attached to an independent lifeline.
INSPECTION RESULTS
As a result of its investigation, OSHA issued citations for five serious and two other than serious violations of its construction standards. OSHA's construction safety standards include several requirements which, if they had been followed here. might have prevented this fatality.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Develop and maintain a safety and health program to provide guidance for safe operations (29 CFR 1926.20(b)(1)).
- Institute, a program for frequent and regular inspections of the job site, as well as materials and equipment by a competent person(s) (29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2)).
- Instruct each employee on how to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions which apply to the work and work areas (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
- Construct scaffolds and their components so that they can support at least four times the maximum intended load (29 CFR 1926.451(a)(7)).
- Install outrigger tiebacks of ¾ inch rope, or equivalent, to a structurally sound portion of the building to provide a secondary means of anchorage (29 CFR 1926.451(i)(4)).
- Require employees to wear approved safety belt and lanyard equipment attached to an independent lifeline that is attached to a substantial structural member (29 CFR 1926.451(i)(8)).
SOURCES OF HELP
- Construction Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207) which contains OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations (1926 and 1910) covering construction.
- "Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Powered, Two-Point Suspension Scaffolds/ Powered Platforms as Found in Re-ports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations" (available from the National Technical Information Service - Order No. PB83-194-050).
- OSHA-funded free onsite consultation services. Consult your telephone directory for the number of your local OSHA area or regional office for further assistance and ad-vice (listed under the U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSH programs).
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
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