Confined Space Entry and Working at Heights procedures must be followed
A service technician was attempting to repair a neon transformer that was located in the alucobond of a canopy. The technician opened the access panel of the FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) on the canopy from the bucket of an aerial vehicle. The technician was one panel away from the transformer and climbed into the canopy to get closer to the transformer. The piece of the FRP gave way and the technician fell to the ground (approx 14ft). The worker fractured one foot and hand requiring surgery to insert pins for both and was hospitalized for approximately one week.
What can we learn from this event?
Confined Space Entry
- When working in confined or restricted space, procedures must be followed at all times.
- Canopy FRP is not load bearing and no entry is permitted at any time.
- At no time should short cuts be taken that jeopardizes anyone’s safety.
Working at Heights
- Fall protection is required when working from heights above 1.5 meters.
- Appropriate use of harness and lanyard is required at all times when working from a bucket of an aerial vehicle.