UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Abstract: EMPLOYEE #1 WAS WORKING FROM A TWO POINT SUSPENSION SCAFFOLD AT THE FOURTH FLOOR LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS WEARING A SAFETY BELT BUT HAD NOT ATTACHED THE LANYARD TO ANYTHING. AN EMPLOYEE OF A DIFFERENT FIRM, WORKING AT THE FIFTH FLOOR LEVEL, WAS INSTALLING FLASHING ON THE PARAPET WALL AND RELATED AREAS TO MAKE A CLOSER FIT ON A BRACE, THE SECOND EMPLOYEE REMOVED A PIN WHICH HELD THE CABLE SUPPORTING ONE END OF THE SCAFFOLD. THAT END OF THE SCAFFOLD FELL, CAUSING EMPLOYEE #1 TO FALL TO HIS DEATH ON THE GROUND FORTY FEET BELOW. THE CABLE WAS INSIDE A THREE INCH SQUARE TUBE WHICH RAN THROUGH THE PARAPET WALL. THE PIN SUPPORTING THE CABLE PASSED THROUGH EACH SIDE OF THE TUBE AND THE EYE OF THE CABLE. THE EYE OF THE CABLE WAS RECESSED AND NOT READILY VISIBLE. THE SCAFFOLD ALSO WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE FIFTH FLOOR TERRACE. THIS WAS DUE TO THE HEIGHT AND WIDTH OF THE PARAPET WALL COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT THE SCAFFOLD WAS PARTIALLY BENEATH A SOFFIT.