OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14481428

HEAD,LADDER,CONSTRUCTION,FALL,LOST BALANCE

1985-05-10T00:00:00

Event: HEAD,LADDER,CONSTRUCTION,FALL,LOST BALANCE
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 14481428
Report ID: 316400

Event description

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE KILLED IN FALL FROM LADDER

Investigation abstract

EMPLOYEE #1, WORKING THROUGH A 12 INCH BY 48 INCH OPENING IN A DROP CEILING, WAS RELOCATING A SCAFFOLD PLANK ON TOP OF A SPRINKLER. HE WAS ABOUT 11 FEET, 1 INCH ABOVE THE FLOOR, STANDING ON OR NEAR THE TOP OF AN 8 FOOT METAL STEPLADDER. HE EITHER LOST HIS BALANCE OR MISS PLACED HIS FEET AND FELL TO THE FLOOR. HIS HEAD STRUCK AN OPEN METAL FRAME WINDOW, 40 INCHES WIDE, 64 INCHES LONG AND 46 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR. THE STEPLADDER MEASURES 92 INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER CA P TO THE FLOOR WHEN SET UP FOR USE. THE EMPLOYEE'S HEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO 5 FEE T, 3 TO 4 INCHES. THE EMPLOYEE WAS A SHEET METAL MECHANIC, INSTALLING A PIECE OF AIR DUCT INTO MAIN SUPPLY LINE.

Victim

#1 Fatality Age 57 M

Nature of injury
6

Part of body
13

Event type
4

Source
25

Occupation code
596

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
13

Task assigned
1

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