Inspection Detail

Inspection: 304030885 - Quality Forming, Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Tampa Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 mistakenly connected his lanyard to the fifth level buck instead of the fourth level buck and fell to his death. His employer was subcontracted to erect a poured in place concrete structure measuring approximately 80 feet by 60 feet by 117 feet high (6 stories). The building being constructed will be the new Sarasota County Jail Facility. All employees are required to use fall protection. All erectors and dismantlers used PFAS with a 6 foot lanyard (with fall arrest) and placement connections always insuring tie off. Employee #1 was in the process of dismantling the frame shoring (scaffold type) and was four sections high in the process of dismantling the fifth section. While in the process, the end buck either was thrown down (regular practice), slipped out of the employee's hands or accidentally became dislodged falling approximately 26 feet to the ground below. Employee #1 being tied off made the fatal mistake of connecting his lanyard to the fifth level buck instead of the fourth level buck. When the fifth level buck fell to the ground, it pulled and threw Employee #1 down to the ground with it. Employee #1 was pulled and thrown approximately 26 feet to the ground below where his head struck a section of a scaffold that was not removed by the ground crew yet. Employee #1 was also impaled on a section of rebar with both legs. Apparently, the angle and force was enough to compromise the integrity of the "bar-guard" cap where the side of the cap failed exposing Employee #1's legs to the rebar. Employee #1 was rescued by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Department, Police Department, and the Emergency Services EMS. Employee #1 was transported to Bay Front Medical Center where he died six days later. The post mortem exam was conducted and concluded that a skull fracture with cerebellar and brainstem contusions caused his death. Examiners ruled his death as an accidental death. Employee #1 was wearing a three quarter body harness (built in tool belt) with a 6 foot lanyard (built in breaking device) and positioning chain, adequate work clothing, and a hardhat.

Keywords: FRACTURE, FALL, SHORING