# Presentation: 689392

## This presentation is for illustrative and general educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the official MSHA Investigation Report analysis nor is it intended to provide the sole foundation, if any, for any related enforcement actions. 

## GENERAL INFORMATION

- Operator:		Greenfuels Processing I, LLC
- Contractor:	BOSS Industrial Construction, Inc. (QFJ)
- Mine:		Kellerman Preparation Plant
- Accident Date:	February 16, 2005
- Classification: 	Slip or Fall of Person
- Location: 		Dist. 11, Tuscaloosa County, AL
- Mine Type: 	Preparation Plant
- Employment:	26

## ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION

- At approximately 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, a 28-year old laborer for BOSS Industrial Construction, Inc., fell from the second floor of a preparation plant construction site, sustaining injuries that resulted in his death on February 24, 2005. The victim had worked at the Greenfuels Processing I, LLC, Kellerman Preparation Plant construction site for one week.  The accident occurred because management failed to ensure that openings, through which men or material could fall, were protected by railings, barriers, covers or other protective devices.

- Hydraulic Oil Puddle

## ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

_*Causal Factor*_: Management failed to ensure that openings, through which men or material could fall, were protected by railings, barriers, covers or other protective devices. _*Corrective Action*_: Initially, hand-rails were installed at the unprotected area after the site investigation was completed. Additionally, BOSS Industrial Construction, Inc., has developed and implemented an administrative policy requiring wire rope barriers to be installed around all open areas and the perimeter of each floor, above ground level, during the installation of hand-rails and toe-boards. These wire ropes are to remain in place during the installation process. These wire ropes cannot be removed until the field superintendent examines the area and approves of their removal.

## ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

- §104(a) Citation was issued to Greenfuels Processing I, LLC for violation of §77.204
- The operator failed to assure compliance with the cited regulation by an independent contractor. Employees of the contractor removed two 5/8-inch wire ropes used as a barrier around the perimeter of the second floor of the Kellerman Preparation Plant construction site to facilitate the installation of hand-rails and toe-boards. These wire ropes were not re-installed at the fresh water pumping station installation area at the rear of the plant, leaving an opening measuring 75-1/2 inches across at a height of 16-feet 9-inches above a concrete surface. This opening in this surface installation through which men or material may fall was not protected by railings, barriers, covers or other protective devices.  An employee of the independent contractor fell from the second floor of the construction site through the unprotected opening. Employees of the operator were also exposed to this condition.

## ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, Cont’d.

**§104(a) Citation was i**ssued to BOSS Industrial Construction, Inc. for a violation of §77.204
- The independent contractor failed to ensure that an opening in a surface installation through which men or material may fall was protected by railings, barriers, covers or other protective devices. Employees of the contractor removed two 5/8-inch wire ropes used as a barrier around the perimeter of the second floor of the Kellerman Preparation Plant construction site to facilitate the installation of hand-rails and toe-boards. These wire ropes were not re-installed at the fresh water pumping station installation area at the rear of the plant, leaving an opening measuring 75-1/2 inches across at a height of 16-feet 9-inches above a concrete surface. There were no other protective devices in place to prevent the fall of men or material. An employee of the independent contractor fell from the second floor of the construction site through the unprotected opening.

## BEST PRACTICES
Always use fall protection equipment, safety belts and lines, when working near elevated openings where there is a danger of falling.

Protect and guard all openings through which persons my fall.

Keep work areas clear of all extraneous materials and other stumbling or slipping hazards.

Establish, and train personnel in, safe work procedures regarding the removal and installation of hand-rails and toe-boards during maintenance and construction.

Install temporary barriers such as chain or rope first, and remove them when the project is completed.

Work place examinations should be made by competent persons to identify hazards associated with construction.

- Always use fall protection equipment, safety belts and lines, when working near elevated openings where there is a danger of falling.
- Protect and guard all openings through which persons my fall.
- Keep work areas clear of all extraneous materials and other stumbling or slipping hazards.
- Establish, and train personnel in, safe work procedures regarding the removal and installation of hand-rails and toe-boards during maintenance and construction.
- Install temporary barriers such as chain or rope first, and remove them when the project is completed.
- Work place examinations should be made by competent persons to identify hazards associated with construction.