Five Fall-Related Accidents That Will Make You Think Twice About Not Using Fall Protection

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, NOV. 18, 2011
Roofer Dies after Falling into Shaft on Construction Site

When assessing potential fall hazards in a work environment, the most dangerous hazard is sometimes not the most obvious. In this case, it was not the structure’s edge, but a shaftway that proved to be a fatal fall hazard for a 41-year-old roofer from the Chicago area. A fall protection system that included a rooftop or overhead anchor point, full-body safety harness, and lanyard could have dramatically altered the outcome in this situation

CBS NEW YORK, NOV. 2, 2011
United Cesspool Service Worker Dies after Falling into Smithtown Sewer Vat

Fall hazards are often compounded by toxic materials or environments. In this tragic incident, first responders were unable to revive a 43-year-old cesspool service worker after he fell into a sewer vat at an apartment complex. The report notes that OSHA would be notified of the incident. As in the case of the roofer above, a fall protection system that included an overhead attachment point, harness, and lanyard could have prevented a fatality.

NEW JERSEY FATALITY ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL EVALUATION (FACE) PROJECT, FEB. 12, 1998

This report addressed a September 3, 1997 incident in which a 39-year-old ironworker died after falling 26 feet from an iron beam while working at a construction site. Preventive recommendations made by the group’s investigators included: “Employers should provide adequate fall protection to all employees exposed to fall hazards; and Employers should conduct a job hazard analysis of all work activities with the participation of the workers.”

NEW JERSEY FATALITY ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL EVALUATION (FACE) PROJECT, OCT. 31, 1996

This report examines a May 1, 1996 incident in which a 36-year-old furniture warehouse worker died after falling 9 feet from a forklift-mounted platform. The worker fell 8 feet, 8 inches, striking his head on a section of steel angle iron, killing him. The primary preventive recommendation made by the group’s investigators was that “high-reach forklift operators should be instructed to use fall protection at all times.”

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER (VIA PHILLY.COM), JULY 8, 2009
Worker Dies after Fall into Hershey’s-bound Chocolate

The food processing and production industry may not be the first that comes to mind when thinking of fatal falls, but it is often the scene of some of the more tragic and gruesome fall-related fatalities. In this case, a 29-year-old temporary worker was tossing blocks of raw chocolate into an 8-foot melting vat when he lost his footing. He was struck fatally by one of the mixing paddles before coworkers could stop the machine.

Each of the tragic cases above underscores the value of personal fall protection systems.

Thanks for reading!

Michael Evanko
Marketing Manager