Inspection Detail

Inspection: 104467790 - Baltimore Gas And Electric Company

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

Investigation Summary

TWO MAINTENANCE WORKERS FOR AN ELECTRIC UTILITY WERE REMOVING 6-INCH-DIAMETER Y'S IN A ROOF DRAIN SYSTEM. THE THREE PIPES GOING INTO ONE OF THE Y'S WERE CUT WITH A TORCH, AND A COME-ALONG WAS USED TO LOWER THE Y TO THE PLATFORM ON A SCAFFOLD. THE SCAFFOLD WAS 18.5 FEET HIGH. IT HAD BEEN PLACED ON AN AISLE THAT WAS 9 FEET ABOVE THE NEXT LOWER ROOF LEVEL. THE SCAFFOLD HAD A PROPER GUARDRAIL AND LADDER. THEY THEN USED A CHAINFALL TO RAISE THE Y OVER THE SCAFFOLD'S GUARDRAIL AND LOWER IT TO THE GROUND. AS THE Y WAS BEING RAISED OVER THE GUARDRAIL, ONE OF THE TWO EMPLOYEES CLIMBED DOWN THE SCAFFOLD. THE OTHER EMPLOYEE WAS MANIPULATING THE CHAINFALL. WHEN THE EMPLOYEE WHO CLIMBED DOWN THE SCAFFOLD GOT TO THE BOTTOM, HE HEARD A THUD ON THE ROOF LEVEL BELOW AND SAW HIS COWORKER LYING THERE. THE EMPLOYEE HAD FALLEN OFF THE SCAFFOLD. HE DIED OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE FALL.

Keywords: FALL, FALL PROTECTION, SCAFFOLD