Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 200996874 - Employee is killed in fall from telecom tower

Accident Summary Nr: 200996874 -- Report ID: 0551800 -- Event Date: 05/16/2008
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
311847461	05/17/2008	1799	238990	Phoenix Of Tennessee, Inc.

Abstract: On May 16, 2008, Employee #1 was on top of a monopole telecom tower taking pre-job photographs. Employee #1 also rigged up the load line using an open hook and a simple block and tackle. After finishing these two tasks, Employee #1 began to rappel down the load line with a Fisk Descender attached to the front D-ring of his full-body harness. As he descended, the open hook rolled out of the large carabineer attached to the top of the platform. Employee #1 fell approximately 150 feet to his death. The open hook, block and tackle, and rope landed right beside him. The large carabineer was still hooked to the top of the tower. The open hook was missing the safety latch. The block and tackle was rated at 1,250 pounds and was intended for lifting equipment, not for life safety purposes. Employee #1 was not using an independent lifeline when he descended via the load line. Employee #1 had not been properly trained in fall protection issues.

Keywords: FALL, FALL PROTECTION, LOAD LINE, UNTRAINED

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Other building		Alteration or rehabilitation		$50,000 to $250,000	1	198	X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	311847461			Fatality	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: 198 feet Cause: Installing equipment (HVAC and other) Fatality Cause: Fall from/with structure (other than roof)

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