Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1225051.015 - Town Of Poland

Inspection Information - Office: Maine Department Of Labor, Bureau Of Labor Standards, Workplace Safety & Health Division

Investigation Summary

At 11:45 a.m. on April 12, 2017, an employee who worked for a local fire department was participating in a multi-agency technical rescue training class. The class involved an exercise involving recue from a burning tower stack. After completing the simulated rescue, the employee began ascending a fixed ladder, wearing a full body harness, which he was tied off. The tie-off was provided using a Tower Rig that consists of two pieces of pre-made webbing loops, between 6 to 8 feet in length, with two screw locking carabineers. As the employee descended the ladder, the screw locking carabineer on his right side fell out of his hand and became tangled in a portable radio that was hanging on his right side. This pulled on the webbing, resulting in the carabineer breaking free and hitting the employee in the nose. The employee slipped off the ladder, falling approximately 1 foot, and struck his mouth on the ladder. He sustained the displacement of eight teeth and fractured the alveolar process. The employee was transported a local medical facility, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Keywords: Emergency Response, Fall, Fire Brigade/Department, Ladder