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FALL FROM ROOF
| Accident Type: |
Fall from Roof |
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| Weather Conditions: |
Clear |
| Type of Operation: |
Construction Roofing |
| Size of Work Crew: |
4 |
| 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: |
No |
| Employee Job Title: |
Roofer |
| Age & Sex: |
21-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
6 months |
| Time on Project: |
3 weeks |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
A roofer, handling a piece of fiberboard, backed up and tripped over a 7½ inch parapet. He fell more than 50 feet to ground level and died of severe head injuries.
INSPECTION RESULTS
Inspection of the accident site revealed that there was neither a safety monitoring system/warning lines or a moton-stopping-safety (MSS) system in use during the installation on the roof of the building. Also, there were two unguarded duct openings on the roof.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Provide standard railing for temporary floor opening [29 CFR 1926.500(b)(7)].
- Provide employees engaged in built-up rooting work on low-pitched roofs with a safety monitoring system on roofs of fifty feet or less in width where mechanical equipment is not being used [29 CFR 1926.500(g)(1)(iii)].
- Erect warning lines around all sides of the work area during the performance of built-up roofing work on low-pitched roofs where the ground to cave height Is greater than 16 feet [29 CFR 1926.500(g)(3)(i)].
- Assure that employees engaged in built-up roofing work have been trained and instructed in the nature of fall hazards in the work area near a roof edge; the function, use and operation of the MSS system, warning line, and safety monitoring systems to be used;. the correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the systems to be used; the role of each employee in the safety monitoring system when this system is used; the limitations on the use of mechanical equipment; and the correct procedures for the handling and storage of equipment and materials [29 CFR 1926.500(g)(6) (ii)(a) through (f)].
- Erect an MSS system along all unprotected roof sides and edges [29 CFR 1926.500 (g)(5)].
SOURCES OF HELP
- OSHA General Industry Standards [29 CFR parts 1900-1910] and OSHA Construction Standards [29 CFR Part 1926] which together include all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations covering construction.
- OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction (Available from the National Technical Information Service, 5265 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161; 703/467-4650; Order No. PB-239-312/AS): a set of 15 guidelines to help construction employers establish a training program in the safe use of equipment, tools, and machinery on the job
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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