Description of Driving Event:
Location: DFRC/B4800 Incident Report: A facilities maintenance shop worker, working alone, was disassembling and removing an 8' high mezzanine structure decked with 4'x8' sections of steel bar grating. The support structure consisted of a bolted-up system of uni-strut columns and beams. While kneeling on a section of partially disassembled and cantilevered grating, the worker removed one bolt too many. The remaining structure collapsed. The panel the worker was kneeling on rotated about the remaining beam and then slid backwards and collapsed onto the floor. The end of the grating severely scraped the worker across his chest and forearms. The worker also suffered multiple bruises. Office workers across the hall from the collapse heard the accident and called for medical help. The medical team arrived on the scene quickly. Because of the nature of the fall and the position of the injured worker, the medical response team slowly and carefully loaded the worker onto a stretcher board. He was then transported to the hospital for examination and treatment of what turned out to be numerous painful but not life-threatening injuries. The injured worker did not return to work for several weeks.
Lesson(s) Learned:
- Demolition operations, especially elevated ones, present substantial hazards as well as the potential for serious injury.
- Small "shop" projects should not be exempted from activity hazard analysis and safety planning.
Recommendation(s):
- All elevated demolition operations must have thorough activity hazard analysis.
- Always use buddy system when conducting elevated or hazardous demolition.
- Never cut off a branch you are sitting if you are beyond the cut line.
- Provide proper temporary restraints (ropes, scaffolding, etc.) to hold up larger and heavier components until they can be lowered safely to the floor/deck below.
Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:
N/A
Documents Related to Lesson:
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Mission Directorate(s):
- Exploration Systems
- Aeronautics Research
Additional Key Phrase(s):
Additional Info:
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