Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14412407 - Two employees killed when powered platform falls

Accident Summary Nr: 14412407 -- Report ID: 0626600 -- Event Date: 05/26/1987
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
100703941	05/26/1987	1799	0	Scaffold Maintenance Company, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
102296183	05/02/1987	7349	0	Rom, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
100703883	05/26/1987	6512	0	Gerald D. Hines Interests
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
100703933	05/26/1987	7349	0	Jobs Building Services

Abstract: Employees #1 and #2 were using a powered platform to wash windows on the north slope of the Pennzoil Place Building. The powered platform they were working from was mounted on the half of the roof that was sloped at a 45 degree angle. The roof cars supporting the platform ran along a monorail that followed the horizontal and sloped halves of the roof. Two cables ran from the roof cars to hoisting motors beneath the platform. As the roof cars were traversing the monorail, a worn gear on the trailing roof car apparently gave way at the corner of the slope. The trailing car fell and struck the leading car, causing the units to speed down the sloped portion of the monorail and off the roof. Overspeed safety devices, designed to prevent this type of accident, were disabled and could not activate. The powered platform, with both employees tied off to it, fell about 37 stories to the street. Employees #1 and #2 were killed on impact. One pedestrian was killed and another was injured by the falling platform.

Keywords: WINDOW WASHER, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, ELEVATED WORK PLAT, GEAR, RAIL, FALL

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	100703941			Occupation Not Listed
2	102296183			Occupation Not Listed
3	100703883			Occupation Not Listed
4	100703933	Fatality	Concussion	Occupation not reported
5	100703933	Fatality	Concussion	Occupation not reported

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