Near Miss Accident Report for Scissor lift activity

Description of Incident: An Ironworker while installing a diagonal cross member of iron was thrown from his SkyJack scissor lift (Model #3226) when the lift he was working from was blown over by a strong gust of wind. The work location was 32’ high with the lift height at approximately 25 high (full extension is 26’). The incident occurred just as the Ironworker was going to install his initial bolt  connections at the work location. At that moment, according to all witnesses and the post-incident investigation, a strong gust of wind came through knocking over the lift. The Ironworker was thrown over the lift’s backside guardrail and fell along side the lift with both the Ironworker and lift striking a grouted masonry wall 15’ below the work location.

Injuries: Broken Ribs (3), deflated lung, elbow lacerations, liver contusion - (LOST TIME). The employee was released from the hospital on April 3, 2009.

➢       The Key Point Summary 

The subcontractor told the equipment rental company that it needed two scissor lifts to reach approximately 25 feet

and that they needed to be used for outside steel erection

on an elevated slab with load restrictions. The equipment rental company delivered two SkyJack scissor lifts (Model #3226) to the work area and trained the workers on the use of the lift.

➢       SkyJack’s Technical Support Department was contacted as part of the investigation.

Their representative indicated that the SkyJack scissor lift (Model #3226) is a narrow based

 lift and built for indoor use only. The maximum wind load for this lift is zero.

➢       The Ironworker was using proper personal fall protection (harness and lanyard) and was secured to the manufacturer’s attachment point in the lift. As a result, he was left hanging from his lanyard and harness on the

Picture of the complete work area with lift blown over.

Key Learning Points

➢       The wrong scissor lift for the tasks being performed was provided by the equipment rental company.

➢       The maximum wind load information for aerial lifts is located on the serial number plate on the lift. This needs to be checked on all lifts before they are put into use on the project.

➢       Outdoor aerial lifts generally have a maximum wind speed rating of 28 MPH on the Serial Number Plate. This information is not referenced in the Equipment’s Owner manual. The owner manual references “Do Not raise your

outside of the wall never striking the ground. His co- workers cut him out of the harness.

➢       No apparent mechanical failures occurred with the scissor lift.

➢       According to Weather Underground at Metro Airport at the time of the incident, wind conditions were steady at 23

platform in gusty or windy conditions.”

➢       All Walbridge projects require the use of 100% tie off when operating any aerial lift. Based on the circumstances of this incident, the employee would have struck the ground if he wasn’t tied off to the proper attachment point using a harness and shock absorbing lanyard. All devise were removed from service.

MPH with gusts to 37 MPH.

➢       The Walbridge required plans for this operation were in place for the work being performed; both operators were aerial lift trained; 100% fall protection was being used; Crane Action Plan was in place; and Pre-Task Analysis was completed.

➢       It’s important to have an Emergency Response and Crisis Management Plan in place to help assist in a smooth response. The EMS arrived at the project within 5 minutes of

the 911 call. As Part of the Emergency Response Plan and Crisis Management Plan, the Corporate Safety Department must be notified ASAP.

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