Summary Statement
This OR-FACE toolbox talk centers on a construction worker who died after a stack of 30 sheets of plywood crushed him. The victim was standing 4 to 5 feet up on a ladder helping to set up a stack of plywood on the roof when the stacked wood began to slide down onto him. Key prevention tips:
- Stack plywood and/or other supplies level and flat on a cricket or table, rather than angled to the pitch of the roof.
- Make sure that ladders are positioned to allow safe access and never set up a ladder under an unstable load of material.
- In pre-planning, consider the use of access equipment other than ladders.
March 2013
- Use a cricket or table to keep supplies stacked level and flat
- Never place ladder under unstable load
- Install guardrails for added protection
Toolbox Talk Guide
Roofing Material Lands on Worker Standing on Ladder
INSTRUCTIONS: Make the "Fatal Hazard" Warning Sign visible to your crew before reading the following story.
Our safety talk today is about a construction worker who died after a stack of 30 sheets of plywood crushed him. The victim was standing 4 to 5 feet up on a ladder helping to set up a stack of plywood on the roof when the stacked wood began to slide down onto him. The victim started down the ladder, but the plywood landed on him in two sections. Heavy equipment was used to remove the plywood while another person called 911. The victim was conscious just after the incident, he said that he thought his back was broken and could not move his hands or feet. The victim later died at the hospital.
Example of Plywood Table: Image from Bonnefin Studios (with permission)
So here are some ways we can prevent something like this from happening where we work.
- Stack plywood and/or other supplies level and flat on a cricket or table, rather than angled to the pitch of the roof.
- Make sure that ladders are positioned to allow safe access and never set up a ladder under an unstable load of material.
- In pre-planning, we should consider the use of access equipment other than ladders.
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 poorly positioned ladders or poorly stacked materials that we might have missed in safety inspections that could be corrected today?”
- “Are there other similar hazards we could fix or make less dangerous?”
- “What do you all do if you need to stack material like this?”
- Discuss a similar condition at your current site.
- Express your commitment to taking the time to use crickets or tables when needed.
- Commit to follow-up at the next safety talk.
