Inspection Detail

Inspection: 308684232 - Zachry Construction Corp

Inspection Information - Office: Omaha Area Office

Investigation Summary

On January 26, 2007, Employee #1, an ironworker, was at the base of a systems scaffold ladder standing on a platform constructed between a steel I-beam and a scaffold leg. The ladder was equipped with a retractable lanyard and the platform was adjacent to an engineered horizontal lifeline that ran along the I-beam. The platform was constructed of scaffold planks and was 6-ft by 3-ft. Employee #1 was wearing a Reliance harness, Model Number 812000, manufactured in March 2006. He was wearing a double lanyard system that was attached to the D-ring which was also manufactured by Reliance. Employee #1 was descending the ladder with his retractable lanyard. He was then required to attach a second lanyard to the horizontal lifeline prior to disconnecting from the retractable lanyard. The lanyard was attached to a point at the top of the ladder approximately 20 ft above the platform. In order to access a scaffold system above, he had to cross a 7-in. wide I-beam using the horizontal lifeline for fall protection. Then transition to the scaffold platform, attach to the retractable, unhook from the horizontal lifeline, ascend the ladder, and finally access the scaffold above. Employee #1 was performing the reverse and failed to connect to the horizontal lifeline prior to disconnecting from the retractable lifeline. He slipped and fell 196 ft and died.

Keywords: BEAM, FRACTURE, HEAD, LADDER, LANYARD, FALL PROTECTION, CONCUSSION, SCAFFOLD