Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309492775 - State Highway Administration

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

On November 16, 2005, Employee #1 for the State Highway Administration (SHA) was assigned by a Field Supervisor, to repair a lane sign that twisted on the overhead wire supporting it and covering a turn signal light at the intersections of Route 273 and 272. The sign was reported by the Transportation Engineer to the SHA. Employee #1 arrived at the site and set up his truck in the left hand turn lane of the East side of Route 273 under the light signal to perform the repairs. Employee #1 proceeded to climb into the basket of his truck aerial lift and raised himself up to approximately 21 ft in height to fix a 36-in. wide by 42-in. high sign and signal light. The basket was 42-in. deep by 22-in. wide by 27-in. long. Employee #1 was provided with a Miller Safety Harness by the company and was trained in its use, but was not wearing the harness at the time. While Employee #1 was straightening the sign out and removing it from in front of the light, he fell from the basket approximately 16 ft to the road and sustained a concussion to his head. He was taken to Christiana Hospital in Delaware, where he was pronounced dead.

Keywords: HEAD, REPAIR, TRUCK CRANE, LIGHTING, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, CONCUSSION, AERIAL LIFT