Inspection Detail

Inspection: 124846718 - Emergency Radio Service, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Miosha Construction Safety & Health Division

Investigation Summary

On June 10, 1996, a work crew spent the morning and early part of the afternoon on the ground, building dishes to install on a previously erected tower. At 2:00 p.m., Employee #1 and a coworker climbed to the top of the tower to rig the top. They were then brought down to the ground. At 4:00 p.m., they again went up the tower and worked until 5:30 p.m. before returning to the ground to pick up the co-axial cable and fasteners. One coworker climbed to the middle of the tower, one went to the top, and Employee #1 was positioned just below this second coworker. The mid-level coworker and Employee #1 worked their way down the tower while the top coworker went down to the ground. When the mid-level coworker reached the ground, Employee #1 was the only one left on the tower was Employee #1. He was at a height of approximately 130 ft when he fell off the tower. Employee #1 was taken to River District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. There were no direct witnesses to his fall but coworkers stated that Employee #1 was tied off.

Keywords: COMMUNICATION TOWER, INSTALLING, CONSTRUCTION, DESCENDING, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, TIE-OFF, TOWER