Accident

All employers have a responsibility to protect their employees, contractors and visitors from accidents and
injuries. This case study is going to focus on the danger to workers and accidents at work, members of the
public are also at risk from injuries caused by scaffolding. The main danger to members of the public is items falling
from the scaffolding such as tools or other pieces of building equipment. This case study is based on an incident
that happened in a workplace of XYZ Construction Company. A group of workers working on a scaffolding, to
repair a building which is to be known as the architectural landmark of the city

Employers were working in a changing weather when suddenly everyone heard a scream. Everybody turned their
head then felt someone of them fell of the scaffolding. The senior worker monitoring from the ground level, saw
the accident happening and he Took all necessary steps to provide emergency rescue and medical help for the
injured; and take those actions that will prevent, or minimize the risk of further accidents or physical harm to the
victim or others and urgently reported to the Health Safety and Environment Office, for the possible help and the
authority to conduct investigation.

Then an ambulance came and took the victim to the nearest medical center for the first aid.

Scaffolding is designed to be a temporary structure used during the construction of new

buildings or the repair of existing buildings. Scaffolding allows workers to reach heights they
wouldn't be able to reach normally and as long as it is erected and used correctly it is a safer
alternative to using ladders.
Investigation
The authorities secured the accident site for the duration of the investigation, after rescue and damage control
are complete. They took the Photographic support of the accident site. Working Procedures and equipments to
ensure observation and investigation, perishable or transient evidence (weather and other environmental
conditions, chemical spills etc.)

For the development of a comprehensive report. They interviewed and asked question to the eye witnesses for
more information about the incident or exposure. Whose key result is to prevent a recurrence of the same
accident in the future.

What were the negative outcomes of accident?

The negative outcome of the accident was that it caused a serious injury to the worker that fell of the scaffolding,
and damage to the equipments and property. The work lost the productivity and it’ll take more time to be finished.
Completing the work will cost more.

Subject Result
Victim Seriously Injured
Equipment and Property Damage Minor
Working Environment Disturbed and delayed for 3 hours
extra work
loss of trained worker

What were the main causes of the accident?

The main cause of the accident was that the weather went just bad and the wind started to blow uncontrollably
manner and the worker lost control on himself and he fell of the scaffolding. The worker wasn’t wearing a
harness belt. This environmental or hazardous situation caused the accident.

What were the contributing factors for this accident?

Following were the contributing factors for this accident

Environment Rough Weather

Design Working place layout – scaffolding
Human Behavior Panicking
Poor Management Workers weren’t wearing Harness Belt
 Was the employee working on that height was skilled? And was he perfectly equipped with
personal protective equipments?

The worker have been working in the construction company for over 40 years when the accident happened and
was skilled and trained enough to work on that height. The employers were provided with the necessary
machinery and tools to complete their jobs such as goggles, hard hats, ear defenders, dust masks, safety gloves,
safety boots or high-visibility jackets but not the harness belt. While all the other machines and tools were
maintained to a safe condition.

The workers had the written Permit for their job?

Yes! The workers were provided with a written permit to perform that particular job at such height and all the
safety measures and the possible hazards were mentioned on that permit.

Was there any Senior Worker who could have stopped the work when the weather conditions
became hazardous?

There was a Senior Worker present at the working site and he was monitoring the whole job with all possible
means. First he didn’t took a notice, when the workers weren’t performing their job right. And second he could
have stopped the work when the environment conditions were getting unusual and hazardous. When asked he
said “It wasn’t storm, or something visible from naked eye. The winds started to blow in uncontrollable manner
with no time, and the victim worker was working at the very edge of the scaffolding.”

What is the safety procedure for this job?

The workplace is kept in a safe and tidy condition. Employees should be provided with all the personal protective
equipments, suitable workstations and the working floor and platforms should be clean and free from hazards. It
should be noticed that, if the workers are sticking to the health and safety standards while performing any job.

Would the accident have happened if this particular factor was not present?

No, such event could not have been occurred if the defined contributing factors were not present. If the Worker
would have been wearing the harness belt there wouldn’t be the accident.
Interpretation of the facts and Conclusion
Objective of Accident investigation is Prevention of the same event in the future. The Health Safety and
Environment Authorities Investigate the accident to find the causes to prevent it. They Interpreted the Physical
evidence and witnesses of accident before and during.

They Analyzed the gathered information and came to the conclusion that. The main cause of the accident was
that the weather, as it just went bad and the wind started to blow uncontrollably manner and the worker lost
control on himself and he fell of the scaffolding. The worker wasn’t wearing a harness belt. There wouldn’t be any
accident if the contributing parameters were not present. The worker have been working in the construction
company for over 40 years when the accident happened and was skilled and trained enough to work on that
height. The employers were provided with the necessary machinery and tools to complete their jobs such as
goggles, hard hats, ear defenders, dust masks, safety gloves, safety boots or high-visibility jackets but not the
Harness Belt. While all the other machines and tools were maintained to a safe condition.

The competent person supervises all work involving scaffolds. These specific tasks include:

 Erecting, moving dismantling, or altering the scaffolding;

 Inspecting the scaffold for visible defects before each shift and after any changes are made;
 Ensuring that defective parts are replaced immediately;
 Ensuring that workers can get on and off the scaffold safely;
 Training workers to recognize hazards; and
 Determining if it is safe to work on a scaffold during storms, bad weather (such as icy conditions), or high
winds.
Preventions and Follow Ups
 Effective equipments should be present at the working site for the monitoring of the weather.
 Effective Management and Supervision Should be provided according to Work at Height Regulations
2005.
 It should be noticed that, if the workers are sticking to the health and safety standards while performing
any job. The Monitoring person should complete the operator’s daily inspection sheet.
 Use appropriate PPE when working near unprotected sides and edges
 Use of Fabricated frame scaffolds (also called “tubular welded frame” scaffolds), consisting of a
platform(s) held up on fabricated end frames by integral posts, horizontal bearers, and intermediate
members such as cross braces;
 The level modification should be applied to platform taking the ground level as a standard.
 All employees required to lift heavy objects or work at a significant height should receive training to
show them how to do this safely.
 Training is essential. Platforms can only be used by trained and authorized personal.
 Do not use ladders or planking to increase your working reach beyond the existing platform
 Know maximum wind speed conditions permitted for operation. Do not work when there are thunder
and lightning storms
 Keep at least 10’ from electric power lines
 It is important to train workers on the same platform model or one with similar characteristics and
controls as the one he/she will be operating
 All employers must be provided with any safety wear they require to complete their jobs, such as
goggles, hard hats, ear defenders, dust masks, safety gloves, safety boots or high-visibility jackets.
 Provide fall protection (usually guard rails) whenever a scaffold is more than 10 feet above a lower level.
 Do not overload scaffolds. Scaffolds must support their own weight and 4 times the maximum intended
load.
 Erect scaffolds so that they are both in plumb and level.
 Use manufactured base plates and screw jacks to level or stabilize the footings of scaffolds.
 Use mud plates under the base plates, unless the scaffold is constructed on a solid foundation, such as a
concrete slab.
 When required, secure platforms from movement or tipping.
 Provide safe access for workers to get on and off scaffolds.
 Keep scaffolds and work platforms free of debris. Organize tools and materials as neatly as possible on
them