Inspection Detail

Inspection: 14354609 - Olson Trailer & Body Co

Inspection Information - Office: Appleton

Investigation Summary

AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1988, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS WORKING IN A COFFERDAM. THE POWER TO HIS CONCRETE VIBRATOR WAS LOST SO HE WENT TO SEE IF THE GFCI HAD TRIPPED. AS HE WAS WALKING ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE STATIONARY RAMP BARGE HE SLIPPED AND FELL INTO THE WATER. HE DROWNED. GUARD RAILS HAD BEEN INSTALLED AROUND ALL SIDES AND ENDS OF THE COFFERDAM AND RAMP BARGE EXCEPT THE SOUTH SIDE. SOME OTHER BARGES HAD BEEN PARKED ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RAMP BARGE TO PROVIDE FALL PROTECTION. UNFORTUNATELY, THE BARGES HAD DRIFTED OUTWARD ABOUT TWO FEET BECAUSE THE SPUDS HAD BEEN PULLED ON A CRANE BARGE. THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT KNOW OF THE GAP SINCE HE WAS IN THE COFFERDAM WHEN THE SPUDS WERE PULLED. LIFE JACKETS WERE STORED 20 FEET FROM WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT WERE NOT USED BY THE EMPLOYEE.

Keywords: BARGE, SLIP, CONSTRUCTION, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, DROWN