Two workers were being lowered in a work
platform suspended by the main load line of the crane into
a steel caisson below grade. The dead end of the load line
was not adequately secured to the hoist drum. The load line
began to slip off the drum while there were at least five
complete wraps of wire rope on the drum. The work platform
fell to the bottom of the excavated area, and the two workers
were pinned by the 3,000-pound load block when it fell onto
the work platform. One worker was killed and the other received
leg injuries.
Safe work practices:
- Plan the job to develop practical and written safe
work procedures before starting work.
- Regularly inspect all critical components on the crane
that may be adversely affected by the type of crane
service. Particular care should be taken to inspect
a crane before using it to hoist workers.
- Ensure all modifications to the crane and its component
parts are approved by the manufacturer or a professional
engineer.
- Perform a trial lift with the unoccupied work platform
throughout the entire range of travel before workers
enter the platform.
