CABL Forum - AT&T Training Accident Death

Inspection: 125591347 - At&T Broadband Internet Services
Inspection Information - Office: Ca Santa Rosa
Nr: 125591347Report ID:0950615Open Date: 10/08/1999
At&T Broadband Internet Services
1111 Anderson Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC: 4841/Cable and Other Pay Television Services
Inspection Type:Accident
Scope:PartialAdvanced Notice:N
Ownership:Private
Safety/Health:SafetyClose Conference:10/12/1999

Close Case:11/24/1999
Related Activity:TypeIDSafetyHealth
Accident361045891
Accident361593007
Accident362138380

Accident Investigation Summary
Summary Nr: 170843304Event: 10/07/1999Trainee Fell From Utility Pole
A group of employees was being trained to climb utility poles to install cable television service. The wood training poles, which were located in the cable company's yard, had step bolts installed. The step bolts were spaced 457 millimeters apart (914 millimeters on each side). The working level, which was about 6.4 meters above the ground, had two parallel steps installed. The next step down was 457 millimeters on the left side and 914 millimeters on the right. One at a time, the trainees would climb to the working level, tie off, lean back into their body belts and remove their hands from the pole, then unstrap and climb back down using the pole steps. The employees were trained to go down with the left foot first. One of the trainees was at the working level, ready to climb back down. She stepped down with her right foot first. She apparently panicked when she missed the rung, which was lower than she had anticipated. She bear-hugged the pole, but was unable to hold on and fell. She landed on her head and neck. She died of injuries sustained in the fall.
Keywords:fall, fall protection, utility pole, untrained, telecom work, cable tv work

Inspection

Degree Nature Occupation
1 125591347

Fatality Fracture Telephone line installers and repairers

INSTALLATION

CONSTRUCTION / TECH

OFFICE / OTHER

AT&T Training Accident Death