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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 301314316 - System One Communications
Inspection Information - Office: Houston North Area Office
Site Address:
System One Communications
7900 Block Of Hollister/Northcourt
Houston, TX 77040
Mailing Address:
9901 Easthaven Blvd, Houston, TX 77075
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1623
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 03/26/1999
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/27/1999
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101760502 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $3,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,000 |
| Current Penalty | $1,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,500 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19260251 A04 | 05/07/1999 | 05/11/1999 | $750 | $1,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19260503 B01 | 05/07/1999 | 06/09/1999 | $750 | $1,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Some employees were erecting an antenna tower. They had assembled and erected the first 30 meters of the 73-meter-tall antenna the previous week. The antenna was to be made of twelve 6.1-meter-long sections. The antenna was supported with three guys, 120 degrees apart, attached at the 18-meter level. One employee was tied off at the top of the tower as a gin pole was being raised. The front end of the gin pole closest to the tower was approximately 3 to 6 meters above the ground with its back end touching the ground when the guy on the northeast leg of the tower failed and the tower collapsed. The employee on the tower was carried to the ground and trapped beneath the collapsed structure. He died of his injuries. The guy that had failed was on the opposite side from where gin pole was being lifted. The guy clamp supplied by tower manufacturer was apparently not the proper size for the guy in use. The clamp was designed for cables of 8 to 13 millimeters in diameter. However, the guy in use was only 6 millimeters in diameter. The guy clamp on the failed guy had two of its three bolts loose, but it could not be determined if they were loose at the time of the accident. It was believed that the rigging attachment point was too low, causing additional strain against the failed guy. The hoist had been set up in nearly a straight line to the lift and the guy that had failed rather than at the 90-degree angle to the tower specified in the National Association of Broadcasters Engineering Handbook. In addition, the tower being erected was larger but of lighter construction than previous towers the employees had erected.
Keywords: COMMUNICATION TOWER, COLLAPSE, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, CRUSHED, GUY, FALL, TOWER
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301314316 | Fatality | Other | Structural metal workers |