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Loss Lessons
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ATTIC FALL
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PestSure Members,
A PestSure workers' compensation claim as well as a ceiling
repair bill resulted when a technician fell through a home's
ceiling from the attic and into the main floor bath. Our technician
was in the attic looking for evidence of rodent activity,
when his foot slipped off of a gas line pipe that was not
visible when he placed his foot in that spot. The technician
lost his balance and went through the ceiling below him and
landed on the floor of the main floor bathroom.
The acceleration of the technicians fall through the 10 foot
ceiling was slightly controlled by the ceiling material that
he fell through. He landed on a carpeted floor below which
also helped decrease his injuries upon impact. The outcome
of this slip and fall could have been much more severe for
this employee.
Lesson:
- Attics present hazardous walking/working surfaces
in tight and poorly lit spaces. You are often required
to navigate them in an awkward body position.
- When possible, be certain there is someone else
in the home or building when accessing an attic or crawlspace.
- Before entering an attic, take a moment to study
your path of travel looking at overhead and walking surface
potential hazards and determining areas to stabilize yourself
should you lose balance.
- Attempt to adequately illuminate the space that
you will access to assist in spotting hazards.
- Don't overload yourself with equipment. Try to
keep your hands free for balance and to grab hold of something
should you begin to fall.
- Plan your entry route, the equipment you will
need, your treatment activities, and your exit, prior
to ever entering the space.
In this case, our technician was very fortunate to sustain
limited injuries. He viewed this task as a very "routine"
part of his job. Attic access is hazardous and for those who
do it often in their work, the need to avoid complacency is
paramount. Please discuss the importance of hazard analysis
and planning for attic access with your technicians. Discuss
methods, considerations, and experience as a group.
Please share and discuss this Loss Lesson with your entire
team so they can apply the knowledge in the field and we can
all learn from this event.
Linda Midyett
Area Manager
Safety and Loss Prevention, PestSure
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.
14241 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300
Dallas, TX 75254
972.663.6199
800.326.6203 |
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