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Fall From Height

November 17, 2020 / Balmert Consulting

In this edition of the NewsFlash Paul asks a simple question about a preventable tragedy.

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From the Costal Point newspaper, a report of an industrial tragedy at Bethany Beach, Delaware:  Two Men Killed During Water-Tower Antenna Installation 

“According to the (Delaware State Police), the men were approximately 120 feet off the ground when a strong wind caused the lift to tip over and become tangled in the surrounding electrical wires as it fell to the ground. According to a DEOS weather station located closer to the ground, at the Bethany Beach boardwalk, at that hour sustained wind speeds were at up to 14 mph, with gusts in the mid-20 mph and mid-30s.”

The operating manual supplied by the manufacturer prescribes that the lift is not to be used at wind speeds above 28 mph. 

How surprised are you that something like this could happen?

Paul BalmertNovember 2020