Summary Statement
This toolbox talk centers on a 32-year-old framer who died when a load of lumber fell on him. The 3 key prevention tips:
- Never exceed the load or extension limits of a lift or crane. You should be trained before you operate a lift or crane.
- Never work directly under a load, or under the swing radius of a lift or crane, unless you are required to be there as a rigger or guide.
- Use a spotter and communication system to make sure everyone knows about lifts in advance, and to prevent material from passing over workers.
March 2013
- Never exceed load or extension limits of a lift or crane
- Use a spotter and communication system to prevent lifts over workers
- Never work directly under a load
Toolbox Talk Guide
Load of Lumber Shifts and Falls on Construction Worker
INSTRUCTIONS: Make the "Fatal Hazard" Warning Sign visible to your crew before reading the following story.
Our safety talk today is about a 32-year-old framer from another company who died when a load of lumber fell on him. He was on a ladder to access a stairwell hole to the second level of a house while a rough terrain forklift was lifting a bundle of lumber to the same level. The lumber weighed at least 600-800 lbs more than the maximum possible for the lift arc, and the forklift tipped over. The lumber shifted and dropped on the victim’s head and upper body, pinning him against the ladder. The lumber shifted again and he fell to the first floor deck. The worker probably died from being crushed before the fall.
So here are some ways we can prevent something like this from happening where we work.
- Never exceed the load or extension limits of a lift or crane. You should be trained before you operate a lift or crane, and I can make sure you get the training.
- Never work directly under a load, or under the swing radius of a lift or crane, unless you are required to be there as a rigger or guide.
- Use a spotter and communication system to make sure everyone knows about lifts in advance, and to prevent material from passing over workers.
ASK: “Does anyone have more ideas or comments to share?” Pause for discussion. Then see if there are ways to take action.
END WITH ACTION PLAN (ideas for what to ask or say).
- “Are there any operations we do that might cause us to push forklifts too close to their limits?”
- “Does anyone have ideas for improving our communication systems?”
- “What do you all do to make sure people are not under loads being moved?”
- Discuss a similar situation at your current site.
- Express your commitment to training people for each machine they operate.
- Commit to follow-up at the next safety talk.
