Inspection Detail

Inspection: 105706667 - Sets' Siding, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Va-E-Manassas (Regional Office)- Safety 0355114

Investigation Summary

On July 6, 1988, Employees #1 and #2 were approximately 25 ft high on the platform of a model 40 John L. Grove manlift installing aluminum soffit on a building in Dale City, VA. They worked the early hours of the day, took off during the hottest hours, then returned to work at around 5:00 p.m. Between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m., Employees #1 and #2, having just finished the soffit on building #36, were on the platform receiving bundles of soffit trim, which they intended to move to the next building. A coworker had just passed a bundle to the platform and had turned to go back upstairs when he heard a crack, then a crashing sound. The rotator bolts on the turntable assembly, on which the boom was mounted, had sheared and snapped, causing the boom and the platform carrying Employees #1 and #2 in it to crash to the ground. The coworker, hearing the crash, ran out of the building and down to the accident scene. He found Employee #1 on his back half in and half off the platform. He was suffering convulsions. Employee #2 was found a couple of feet from the platform on his stomach with Employee #1's arm on his head. The coworker had to drive approximately one mile to call for help after trying unsuccessfully to get assistance from residents in the area. Employee #1 was transported to Fairfax Hospital, where he died of multiple head injuries at 12:45 p.m. on July 10, 1988. Employee #2, suffering a fractured jaw and back injuries, was transported to Potomac Hospital.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, INSTALLING, BOOM, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, BACK, BOLT, FALL, ELEVATED WORK PLAT