ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 24

Accident Type:	Fall
Weather Conditions:	Cold
Type of Operation:	General Contractor
Size of Work Crew:	25
Collective Bargaining	Yes
Competent Safety Monitor on Site:	No
Safety and Health Program in Effect:	No
Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly:	No
Training and Education Provided:	Yes
Employee Job Title:	Laborer
Age & Sex:	31-Male
Experience at this Type of Work:	6 Years
Time on Project:	3 Weeks

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT

An employee was standing on a six-inch wide plank laid between two adjacent I-beams 14 feet above a concrete floor. He was using a jackhammer to chip away an old concrete and brick floor from a horizontal I-beam. Apparently he lost his balance and fell to the floor below, sustaining fatal head injuries. He was not wearing any fall protection gear nor were floor openings guarded by standard railings and toe boards or covers.

INSPECTION RESULTS

As a result of its investigation, OSHA issued citations for one repeat, two serious and two other than serious violations of its construction standards. Had guard rails been installed or the employee worn fall protective gear, the accident probably would not have occurred.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Appropriate fall protective gear must be worn by employees where there is risk of falling (29 CFR 1926.28(a)).
2. Floor openings must be guarded with standard railing (20 CFR 1926.500(b)(1)).
3. A safety program must be established to prevent accidents. It must include frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment by a competent person (29 CFR 1926.20(b)(1) and (b)(2)).

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.
• "Occupational Fatalities related to Roofs, Ceilings, and Floors as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations, " available from the National Technical Information Service, 5286 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650, publication no. PB-80-161-136, $16, prepaid.
• OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction (available from the National Technical Information Service - Order No. PB-239-309/SET) designed to help construction employers establish a training program in the safe use of equipment, tools, and machinery on the job.
• 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 advice (listed under the U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSH programs).
• Courses in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Dr., Des Plaines, Ill. 60018. (312) 297-4810.

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.