Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 311430714 - Paul Suh

Inspection Information - Office: Hi-E-Honolulu

Investigation Summary

On December 13, 2007, Employee #1, a coworker, and the employer were sheathing the roof of a two-story addition behind the employer's residence. The roof was 34 ft wide and 15 ft from the eave to the ridge on each side. They had begun the job that morning at 11:30 a.m. At approximately 4:23 p.m., Employee #1 and the coworker were stapling tar paper onto the plywood sheathing, with the employer's help. They were working near a 22 in. wide by 35 in. long skylight that was located about one-third of the way down from the ridge and 30 in. from the Diamondhead edge of the 4-in-12 pitched roof. After laying tar paper over the upper half of the skylight, Employee #1 fell 18 ft through the unguarded skylight opening, landing on the concrete surface of the first floor entrance area. Employee #1 suffered multiple internal injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Queens Medical Center, where he died at 5:31 p.m. on December 14, 2007. The skylight opening had never been equipped with either a cover or guardrails. All three men had been working without any fall protection on the two-story roof structure. They were wearing steel-toe shoes, jeans, and t-shirts, and rain had been falling on and off throughout the day.

Keywords: ROOF OPENING COVER, SKYLIGHT, GUARDRAIL, ROOF, BARRIER GUARD, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, ROOF OPENING