Worker Fatality Alert: Two Solar Energy Installers Die from Electrical and Fall Hazards

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  California. Department of Public Health
• Description:
  Prevention Points: Train all workers on the hazards of electrocution from high voltage power lines; Protect all workers from falling through skylights. The California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (CA/FACE) program tracks and investigates cases of fatal injuries at work, and makes prevention recommendations for employers and employees. In the past year, the death of two solar energy installers has highlighted the need for all solar energy companies to review current workplace safety programs and be sure those programs include assessments for electrical and fall hazards. The first worker was electrocuted and fell to his death off a scaffold after a 20-foot metal bracket made contact with a nearby high voltage power line. A hazard analysis of the worksite had not been performed before work was started, and the victim had not received specific training on high voltage electrical hazards. The second worker fell through a roof skylight after he tripped while carrying solar panels. Although a hazard assessment of the worksite had been performed before starting work, the skylight was not guarded and the victim was not wearing personal fall protection. A complete report with safety recommendations about the first incident (#08CA006) is available. See the Fatality Assesement & Control Evaluation Program website (www.cdph.ca.gov/FACEReports) for more information. The specific actions and conditions that led to the second incident are still under investigation. As an immediate step to prevent future incidents among solar installers, all solar companies should have an employee safety program that includes a worksite assessment of electrical hazards from high voltage power lines and the risk of falls through skylights and roof openings. All workers should receive safety training prior to starting work, have daily "tailgate" briefings on job hazards, and receive adequate onsite supervision. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accidental Falls Accidents Construction Industry Electric Injuries Mortality Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Construction Workers Electrocutions Fall Protection Falls Fatalities Injuries Injury Prevention Safety Equipment Safety Practices Solar Energy
• Series:
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE)
• Publisher:
  California Department of Public Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059544
• Citation:
  Richmond, CA: California Department of Public Health, 2009 Aug; :1
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• Performing Organization:
  Public Health Institute
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Worker fatality alert: two solar energy installers die from electrical and fall hazards
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:92faf53cc61ac6aeba1ca330ec54979d2972b93c51685b965aba07d419ebe6491a30c8c715fa6a50cbc2e1f1b903dc86bc233f4b1ee3fa5372bf978c93291461
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/228980/cdc_228980_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 155.38 KB ]