Accident Report - Fatal Facts

ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 8

Accident Type: Struck by Falling Object Image - Fatal Facts No. 8
Weather Conditions: Clear
Type of Operation: Transmission Tower Construction
Size of Work Crew: 4
Union or Non-union Union
Competent Safety Monitor on Site: Yes
Safety and Health Program in Effect: Yes
Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: Yes
Training and Education Provided: No
Employee Job Title: Groundman (Framer)
Age & Sex: 24-Male
Experience at this Type of Work: 2 Years
Time on Project: 3 Days

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT

Ball and socket connectors are used to attach conductor stringing blocks to insulators on the arms of 90 foot metal towers of electrical transmission lines. Normally stainless steel cotter keys secure the ball and socket connector in place. In this case, however, black electrical tape was wrapped around the socket to keep the ball in place rather than a cotter key. The tape apparently stretched and the ball came loose, dropping the stringing block approximately 90 feet onto the head of an employee below, one of a four-man erection crew.

INSPECTION RESULTS

As result of the its investigation, OSHA issued citations alleging three serious and two other-than-serious violations.

OSHA's construction safety standards include several requirements which, if they had been followed here, might have prevented this fatality.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. Rigging and equipment must be inspected regularly and maintained in safe operating condition as required by general provisions of OSHA's construction (29 CFR 1926.995).
  2. Employees must be instructed to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions and be made aware of regulations which apply to the work and the work area to eliminate safety and health hazards as required in the safety training and education section of OSHA's construction safety standards (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
SOURCES OF HELP

  • Construction Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207) which contains 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 -- Order No. PB-239-312/AS) comprised of set of 15 guidelines to help construction employers establish a training program in the safe use of equipment, tools and machinery 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. Department of Labor or under the state government section where states administer the own OSH programs).
  • Courses in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Dr., Des Plaines, Ill. 60018 (302) 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.