Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1469348.015 - Zenith Tech, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Eau Claire Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 9:40 a.m. on March 9, 2020, Employee #1 was working for a street/road contractor. A three-man crew was working from a barge system while torch cutting and lowering steel beams. The team was performing demolition on a bridge structure. Employee # 1 was working from a JLG brand aerial lift to cut three steel beams with a torch. Coworker #1 (crane operator) supported the steel beams with the crane, by way of double-leg alloy chain slings. The cut off steel beams would then be lowered down to the barges where Coworker #2 (Crew Supervisor) would disconnect them. Employee #1 lost consciousness and slumped over the top rail of the aerial lift. Employee #1 would not respond to radio calls from Employee #2. Coworker #2 called 911 and EMS responded. Coworker #2 used the auxiliary controls at the base of the aerial lift to lower Employee #1 to the shore where EMS personnel could access him. Employee #1 was transported to the hospital, where he was admitted and diagnosed with cardiac arrest.

Keywords: Aerial Lift, Barge, Bridge, Cardiac Arrest, Cardiovasc Disease, Chain, Crane, Demolish, Demolition, Loss of consciousness, Lost consciousness, Rigging, Sling, Steel, Steel Beam, Torch, Torch cutting, Unconsciousness