Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314843889 - United Sheet Metal, Inc.

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

Investigation Summary

The company started work at 6AM on 9/14/10. One employee who was a journeyman sheet metal mechanic was assigned to work in a hallway on the 5th floor of the Children's Tower being constructed at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The employee was working from an 8 foot fiberglass step ladder. It is unknown what step he was standing on. The ceiling grid was 9 feet above the floor. His work area was approximately 2 feet above the ceiling grid. The employee apparently placed his tools up near the work area above the ceiling grid. The ladder was set up on the concrete floor which was level and free of debris. The ladder was facing east in the hallway and was set up next to the wall, which was made of drywall. There was no foot traffic by the ladder and the ladder was in excellent condition with no defects and good tread on the bottom of the legs. At about 7:40AM, the employee fell from the ladder against the wall with his feet and body, knocking the ladder over. There was no indication that the ladder hit the opposite wall. There was no yell or scream from the employee. The employee landed at the foot of the ladder face up with both legs up on the ladder's locking arms. No one saw the incident occur. Two employees who were working nearby inside other rooms apparently heard the ladder hitting the floor and came out to see what the noise was and found the employee. He was breathing but unresponsive and blood was coming from his left ear with a small amount of blood on the floor. Rescue personnel arrived and the employee was treated and then transported to the emergency room at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was pronounced brain dead at 7PM on 9/14/10 and died between 11:30AM and 12:00PM on 9/15/10. He was an organ donor and the family did not want an autopsy performed. The victim had a history of heart related problems including having stints placed in his heart. He also suffered from emphysema. There is no indication that there was anything wrong with the ladder or that it was set up unsafely.

Keywords: HEAD, STEPLADDER, LADDER, FALL