Inspection Detail

Inspection: 110092830 - R. N. Pyle Contractors, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Jacksonville Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was a journeyman pipefitter with R. N. Pyle Contractors, Inc. He had worked at this occupation for over 30 years and for this employer since 1989. At approximately 9:30 a.m. on July 22, 1994, the crew, consisting of Employee #1, a welder, and an apprentice, positioned a 16 ft aluminum extension ladder alongside the east recovery area control room (12 ft high with a flat roof), secured the ladder, pulled up the cutting torch, and were preparing to construct guardrails across the roof as part of the access to their work site. The crew had been assigned to replace pipe hangers on the main overhead pipe rack. The welder and his helper were on the ground preparing parts, and Employee #1 returned to the storage trailer on an errand. The welder and his apprentice were working just out of sight from the ladder when the apprentice heard something hit the concrete. He looked around the corner and saw Employee #1 lying on his back to the left of the ladder. The apprentice notified the control room operator who called the plant emergency response team and 911. The plant emergency team arrived in approximately 3 minutes and provided emergency care until the ambulance arrived approximately 5 minutes later, followed by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Department. When discovered, Employee #1 was wearing his fall protection body harness, hard hat, and safety glasses.

Keywords: EXTENSION LADDER, WORK RULES, LADDER, CONSTRUCTION, FALL