Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1169051 - Pioneer Roofing Co Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Fort Lauderdale Area Office

Investigation Summary

A crane crew was preparing to disassemble the boom of an FMC Link Belt crane, model HC 138A, to install the additional boom sections necessary to reach the roof of the building. Employee #1 and a coworker had just removed the load block. The boom was supported by boom hoist pendants that were still attached at the boom point. Employee #1 signaled the operator to lower the boom slightly, apparently so he could more easily remove the safety pins for the bottom boom connecting pins. Employee #1 removed the safety pins and then, reportedly before coworkers could stop him, ducked under the boom and hammered out both bottom connecting pins. The boom immediately fell, crushing Employee #1's skull and killing him. Employee #1 was experienced in disassembling this boom, and had done it more than 12 times in the previous month. This accident was caused by Employee #1 knocking out the boom pins far too early in the normal sequence for dismantling.

Keywords: DISMANTLING, PIN, UNSECURED, CRANE BOOM, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, CRUSHED, SKULL, FALLING OBJECT, CRANE