Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313556029 - Vincent Merlo Dba Independent Roofing Company

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

Investigation Summary

On October 23, 2009, Employees #1 and #2, as well as four coworkers were replacing the roof of an apartment building, which involved stripping the building's old shingles and tar paper, and replacing them with new felt tar paper and shingles. The work began on October 19, 2009, and was scheduled to be completed October 23, 2009. Employees #1 and #2, and their coworkers began work at 7:30 a.m., starting with a meeting to discuss what work needed to be done for the day. They then set up an extension ladder, which Employees # 1 and #2, and the other four coworkers climbed to access the roof to begin work. The crew continued work until about 12:00 p.m., at which time they stopped work to take a lunch break. The crew returned from lunch approximately 30 minutes later and continued work on the roof, but about 45 minutes later it started to rain. When the rain became heavy, Employee #2, the crew's foreman, stopped work and instructed the crew to lay felt tar paper over the uncovered peak of the roof and to clean up/ secure the remaining tar paper. When the cleanup efforts began, there were only two safety harnesses available on the roof and only one worker was wearing a safety harness. As Employee #1 was laying out the felt tar and walking on the felt tar paper that was already in place, he slipped and fell to his back. Employee #1 began sliding down the sloped roof that had a pitch of 6- to 12-sloped roof toward a stairwell on the south side of the building. As Employee #1 was sliding down the roof, Employee #2 was either struck by, or attempted to catch Employee #1 and began sliding down the roof as well. Both Employees #1 and #2 slid off the edge of the roof (over the gutter) and fell 29 feet to a concrete sidewalk below. Employee #1 landed next to the wall of the building and Employee #2 landed on the sidewalk by the bushes. Emergency services were contacted and Employees #1 and #2 were taken by helicopter to a shock trauma center, where they were hospitalized and treated for their injuries. Employee #1 suffered fractures to his upper right leg, both hands and wrists, and pelvis. He also experienced a very sore left knee, and had massive bruises. Employee #2 suffered a cracked bone in his lower back, a sprained right ankle, and severe bruising. The accident investigation noted that five of the six employees were not wearing safety harnesses when the accident occurred.

Keywords: FRACTURE, ROOF, PPE, SLIP, STRUCK AGAINST, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, SLIPPERY SURFACE, LOST BALANCE, CONTUSION