PAINTER DIED WHEN ELEVATED SCISSOR LIFT TIPPED TO SIDE WHEN TIRE ENTERED PAVEMENT DEPRESSION

 

PAINTER DIED WHEN ELEVATED SCISSOR LIFT TIPPED TO SIDE WHEN TIRE ENTERED PAVEMENT DEPRESSION

 

SUMMARY

In the summer of 2013, a male painter in his 30s died when the tire of the elevated Economy Wildcat SP1200 scissor lift in which he was working entered a depression in a parking lot caused by a recessed storm drain and tipped to its side.

The decedent and his coworker were elevated approximately 15 feet in the scissor lift while they painted a building’s eaves/fascia. To protect the ground from paint overspray, the workers laid opaque plastic on the asphalt pavement. The plastic covered a storm drain grate, which was recessed 4½ inches.

 

The workers noticed an area that had been missed during their painting work, so the lift had to be moved back to the missed area on the fascia. Both workers knew the storm drain grate was nearby but thought it was several feet away. While the lift was elevated, the decedent was in charge of the operating the lift.

 

While in the process of backing the lift to the missed area of fascia, the lift’s left rear tire entered the 4½-inch storm drain depression, which was located approximately 20 feet away from the building causing the lift to tip to its side toward the building. The decedent’s coworker jumped from the lift as it was falling and received non-fatal injuries.

 

The decedent stayed in the lift basket and struck the ground, receiving head injuries. Emergency response was called and the decedent was transported to a local hospital where he died two days later from his head injuries.

Factors which contributed to this fatal incident include:

·         Site hazard (drain and associated deteriorated surrounding pavement) was identified but corrective measures not undertaken

·         Unmarked site hazard covered when pavement and drain were covered with plastic

·         The lift was elevated when it entered the storm drain depression

·         Spotter was not used while operating the elevated lift

RECOMMENDATIONS

·         Assure work areas are inspected for hazards and take corrective actions to eliminate the identified hazards before and during operation of an aerial lift.

·         Employers should ensure that workers who operate self-propelled elevated lifts are adequately instructed in how to perform their duties and trained to safely operate the lift. Training should include, but not be limited to: a) how to perform a work area inspection to identify and minimize identified hazards; b) how to operate the lift in an elevated position; c) how to perform a pre-shift inspection that includes a visual and operational check; and d) report to management when the lift does not pass a visual or operational check.

·         Employers should maintain equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

·         Employers should develop formal, written and specific equipment instructions to be used as training tool to ensure employees receive consistent training.

·         Employers should, in addition to developing and implementing a health and safety program, develop mechanisms to ensure adherence to the health and safety program by both management and employees. One approach is ensuring the company’s culture has safety as a core value.


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An image of a better-conditioned Economy Wildcat scissor lift is shown below.