Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1665826.015 - Florida Rigging & Hydraulics

Inspection Information - Office: Fort Lauderdale Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 10:00 a.m. on April 24, 2023, an employee working as a sailor/deckhand for a household good repair company was being lifted to the top of a mast to replace the halyard. The employee reached the top of the mast where a coworker secured the employee's halyard (security rigging) to the boat's wench and placed the brake on the halyard. At that moment, the head stay, which holds the mast in the upright position to prevent it from falling backwards, broke away from the anchor point at the top of the mast. The mast fell backward with the employee attached. The employee died from a split aorta and massive abdominal hemorrhaging due to the 40 foot fall and impact with the ground.

Keywords: Abdomen, Boat, Cardiovasc System, Climbing, Concussion, Defective Equipment, Dislocated, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Fall Protection, Fracture, Head, Hoisting Mechanism, Internal Bleeding, Internal Injuries, Laceration, Loss Of Blood, Mast, Sheared, Work Surface