Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1317533.015 - 72460 - John Thomas Roofing

Inspection Information - Office: Sc Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation

Investigation Summary

On May 6, 2018, Employee #1 and #2 were inspecting the roof of a two story, 4,800 square foot, house requiring replacement. The two employees carried an aluminum 20 foot extension ladder and a 25 foot fiberglass extension ladder to the back of the house. The fiberglass ladder was placed on the first landing of a wooden staircase that went up six feet and split off into a left and right side. The ladder leaned against the left side of an enclosed porch that had a flat roof on top. Employee #2 climbed to the top of the flat roof with shingles, while Employee #1 handed him the aluminum ladder that was placed on the porch roof and leaned against the top portion of the house. Employee #1 then held the aluminum ladder as Employee #2 climbed the ladder with a tape measure in his left hand. As Employee #2 was climbing the ladder and was approximately 30 feet above the ground, the ladder slipped from under Employee #2. Both Employee #1 and #2 fell; Employee #1 landed on the ground, approximately seven feet away from the house, and Employee #2 landed on the staircase. Employee #1 suffered blunt force trauma to his torso and liver trunk, resulting in his death. Employee #2 sustained injury to his head, spinal cord, elbow, and nose, which he was hospitalized and received treatment.

Keywords: Crushed, Elbow, Fall, Fall Protection, Fracture, Head, Ladder, Liver, Nose, Roof, Spine, Torso