Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310288832 - Reed Contracting Incorporated

Inspection Information - Office: Pittsburgh Area Office

Investigation Summary

On November 8, 2006, Employee #1 and a coworker were on two ladder jack scaffolds, using an aluminum ladder hoist for material transport while installing shingles on the face of a two-story detached garage. The company owner had contracted with the homeowner to replace the shingles, gutters, soffit, and fascia. They had finished their work on the front of the building and decided to dismantle the scaffolds and ladder hoist before going to lunch. Concerned about an overhead power line that was approximately 13 ft from the building, they rotated the hoist onto its side rail before standing it straight up, positioning the ladder parallel to the power line. They were walking the hoist down when the top of the ladder contacted the primary line. Both workers sustained electric shocks. The coworker was thrown from the ladder hoist, but Employee #1 remained frozen to it by the current. The owner of the company saw the incident, ran over, and knocked Employee #1 free. He then noticed that Employee #1 was struggling to breathe, so he ran to the house and told the homeowner, who was a nurse, to dial 911. She then came out and administered first aid and CPR. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and took over the rescue operations. Employee #1 was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

Keywords: CLEARANCE, OVERHEAD POWER LINE, DISMANTLING, WORK RULES, ELECTROCUTED, STRUCK AGAINST, CONSTRUCTION, LADDER JACK SCAFFOLD, METAL LADDER