OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #689414

HEAD,STEPLADDER,WORK RULES,LADDER,CONSTRUCTION,DESCENDING,FALL,LOST BALANCE,BRAIN

1987-12-21T08:45:00

Event: HEAD,STEPLADDER,WORK RULES,LADDER,CONSTRUCTION,DESCENDING,FALL,LOST BALANCE,BRAIN
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 689414
Report ID: 552700

Event description

CONSTRUCTION WORKER KILLED IN FALL FROM LADDER

Investigation abstract

AT APPROXIMATELY 8:45 AM ON DECEMBER 21, 1987, EMPLOYEE #1 ATTEMPTED TO DESCEND A 12 FOOT ALUMINUM STEPLADDER FROM ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE FLOOR. HE WAS CARRYIN G A HEAVY, BULKY FURNACE BLOWER WHICH HE HAD JUST REMOVED FROM AN OVERHEAD GAS F URNACE. WHILE DESCENDING EMPLOYEE #1 LOST HIS BALANCE AND FELL, STRIKING THE LEF T SIDE OF HIS HEAD ON THE FLOOR. HE WAS DETERMINED TO BE BRAIN DEAD SOON AFTERWA RD, BUT WAS KEPT ON A LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR 7 MORE DAYS.

Victim

#1 Fatality Age 53 M

Nature of injury
12

Part of body
13

Event type
6

Source
42

Occupation code
585

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
8

Task assigned
1

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