ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 43

Accident Type:	Fall From Elevation
Weather Conditions:	Clear
Type of Operation:	Steel Erector
Size of Work Crew:	8
Collective Bargaining	No
Competent Safety Monitor on Site:	Yes
Safety and Health Program in Effect:	Yes
Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly:	Yes
Training and Education Provided:	No
Employee Job Title:	Ironworker
Age & Sex:	39-Male
Experience at this Type of Work:	None
Time on Project:	1 Day

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT

An employee was assigned to connect the X-braces at the end of 40-foot long bar joists. Only one end of the bar joist he was working on had been welded. The employee was sitting on the unwelded end of the bar joist trying to connect the X-braces. He lost his balance, dislodging the bar joist from its end support, and fell approximately 24 feet to his death.

INSPECTION RESULTS

Following its inspection, OSHA cited the employer for two serious and one other than serious violations of its standards involving employee training, bolting for lateral stability, and failing to report the fatality within 48 hours.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Where longspan joists or trusses 40 feet or longer are used, employers must install a center row of bolted bridging to provide lateral stability before slacking the hoisting line (29 CFR 1926.751[c][2]).
2. Employers must train new employees to insure they are qualified by experience or training for their jobs, in this case to erect steel (20 CFR 1926.20[b][1]).
3. Employers must train employees to recognize and avoid hazards on their jobs, in this case joist erection (20 CFR 1926.21[b][2]).

SOURCES OF HELP

• OSHA General Industry Standards [CFR parts 1900-1910] and OSHA Construction Standards [CFR Part 1926] which together include all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations covering construction.
• OSHA-funded free onsite consultation services. Consult your telephone directory for the number of your local OSHA area or regional office for further assistance and advice (list under the U.S. Department of Labor or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs).
• OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction (available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161; 703/487-4650; Order No. PB-239-312/AS): a set of 15 guidelines to help construction employers establish a training program in the safe use of equipment, tools, and machinery on the job.
• Courses in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, 312/297-4810.

NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.