Abstract: On May 14, 1990, Employee #1, a whiphammer operator employed by Breakcon Corp., a subcontractor of the James River Equipment and Supply Co., Inc. (itself a subcontractor of the G.C. Williams Construction Co., Inc.), reported for work at a bridge on US Route 50 over Maryland Route 450 per instructions from Breakcon Corp. The James River Co. had a verbal agreement with Breakcon Corp. that if the James River Co. could not meet their contract with Williams Construction Co., Breakcon would cover for them, furnishing the whiphammer machine and operator. The division manager of the James River Co. was present and gave the employee guidance and instructions on the operation of the whiphammer and the work to be performed, (i.e., breaking up the parapet walls and bridge deck). Bridge demolition was authorized to be conducted by MASHA between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. The employee returned to the work site at about 9:00 p.m. on May 15, 1990, and was instructed by the Williams Construction Co. foreman to use the whiphammer while waiting for further instructions. The employee dismounted from the whiphammer, which was parked on the north edge of the bridge deck. A 5/8 in. diameter wire rope cable was installed 4 ft high at the edge of the deck and ran the length of the bridge. Each end was secured and bowed downward to a height of 2 ft in front of the whiphammer. At approximately 11:30 p.m., Employee #1 was observed at the edge of the deck by the machine, holding onto the cable with his hands. He then fell from the deck 19 1/2 ft to the road, sustaining a fractured arm, ribs, and pelvis, a concussion with possible skull fracture, and internal injuries. He was not wearing ppe.