**1 Introduction **

10'th of May 2005 a tragic accident happened in Drammen, Norway during
dismantling of a crane. Two persons died (29 and 48 years) when the
counter-weight on the crane fell to the ground. This report gives a
brief overview and experience learned from this accident. The report
does not cover the way of work and procedures involved in the
dismantling of the crane, it only covers the fall protection matters.

Thanks to Igor Kartawich at the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority
and the Pathologist for information to this report.

**2 The accident **

The accident happened when the counter weight beam (back-bridge) on the
top of the crane should be removed. This came out of control and fell
freely 40 metres to the ground, together with one of the workers. This
worker was wearing a full body harness, but was not connected to any
anchor. The back-bridge that fell, had a weight of 5 to 6 tons.

The other worker was working from a small platform with rails, which is
a part of the crane construction. He was protected by a full body
harness and lanyard connected to the hand rail of the platform. The
lanyard did not have any kind of fall absorption and it was knotted onto
the rail. The other end of the lanyard was connected to the harness back
attachment.

The construction that fell was integrated with the platform the worker
was working from, and in the fall the weight of the back bridge bent the
platform construction 90 degrees before they came apart (shown on the
picture to the right with arrow towards the platform). The worker fell
out of the platform, and it is estimated that he got a free fall (partly
reduced by the friction in the bending construction) of between 8 and 10
metres including the length of his lanyard. He was then arrested by the
harness, but without any shock absorption. It is not clear if he also
collided with the main crane construction.

**3 Medical observations **

The worker was alive after the fall, and could be observed moving. He
died in the ambulance about one hour after the fall. It was suspicion
that he died from Suspension trauma, and the Police ordered full
autopsy. The doctor that was responsible for the autopsy gave the
following conclusion to the cause of death:

1.  In addition to leg straps and shoulder straps, the harness had a
    waist strap. In the arrest by the back attachment, a very high force
    was taken by the waist strap which was pressed upon the bottom of
    the ribs (diafragma).

2.  The force from the waist strap crushed the liver with a lethal
    injury.

3.  The continued press from the waist strap did however compress the
    liver and limited bleedings. When the person was released from the
    harness, serious internally bleedings started.

4.  The injury was lethal, and the person could probably not have been
    saved.

**4 The rescue **

No rescue plan or equipment was available at the site. A rescue team
from the Fire Department was quickly on site, but did not have long
enough ladders to reach the person directly. The Police feared that the
whole crane could fall down over neighbouring houses without the counter
weight, and did not allow any rescue to be started in the crane before
it was stabilized. This was done by a secondary crane, and in total the
person was suspended in his harness for 25 minutes.

During the rescue the person was lowered inside the crane for about 10
metres, and then taken onto the ladder on the fire engine. He was
transported horizontally on a stretcher, from were he was picked up by
the ladder.

**5 Observations **

1.  The 48 year old would probably not have been saved by attachment to
    the construction, as he fell together with the construction that
    would be the natural anchor. This should however not be a reason for
    choosing not to use fall protection equipment correct, because this
    would save falls by the person alone.

2.  The lack of shock absorber was a serious mistake, and probably cause
    of the fatal injury to the 29 year old.

3.  CEN should investigate full body harnesses with back attachment and
    waist strap. It is important to find out if the force on the body by
    the waist strap, during the arrest of falls by the back attachment
    is acceptable. This is not taken into account by free fall tests on
    a dummy.

4.  A rescue plan including necessary equipment and trained personnel
    should have been made, but would not have saved the persons involved
    in this accident.

5.  Although Suspension trauma was not the cause of death in this
    situation, it demonstrates that rescue personnel is not aware of
    this risk and transports the person horizontally. This was a classic
    situation were Suspension trauma could occur, and rescue personnel
    should be trained in correct rescue of persons suspended in a
    harness.

Åndalsnes, June 16'th 2005 Fred Husøy