Inspection Detail

Inspection: 301525531 - Horizon Steel Erectors, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Toledo Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, foreman, and coworker, the project superintendent, climbed a temporary staircase located a the opposite end of the building from where an overhead crane was located. Employee #1 and his coworker climbed off the staircase onto the south crane rail and attached their lanyards to a wire rope previously installed during the construction phase. They walked down the crane rail to the overhead crane and checked the crane rails and dogs on the crane to confirm that they had adequate clearance. They then climbed up onto the crane catwalk and walked to the opposite side to check the north rail for alignment and obstructions. On this side of the crane, the catwalk was located next to the crane rail with permanent guardrails in place. They were aware when climbing the stairs some of the grating was missing at the columns but not where they would be checking the crane, which was in between the column lines. Employee #1 and his coworker climbed off the crane onto the catwalk. The coworker knelt down to see if the wheels were rubbing on the rail. He did not see any interference on the rail and proceeded to the opposite or east side of the crane. He heard a noise, turned around, and saw Employee #1 fall through an opening in the walkway grating. Employee #1 was killed.

Keywords: UNGUARDED FL OPENING, CONSTRUCTION, FALL, CRANE