23.08.2005

Another two die for want of a harness

A 30 metre truck mount owned by Gardemann, one of Germany’s largest rental companies, turned over on Thursday last week at a plant near Leverkusen.

Two men were in the platform, working on a mobile phone antenna, attached to the plants smokestack. When, it appears, the ground gave way beneath an outrigger, possibly due to an underground cavity?
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Harnesses could have saved the two lives in this incident.

The machines boom came to rest on the edge of the roof of the factory building, which is around 10 metres high, impact with the roof, buckled the boom tip throwing the two men, aged 64 and 22, to their deaths. Neither was wearing a harness,

The German federal authorities are still investigating the accident and no further details are available.


Vertikal Comment

This accident is similar to one that occurred in Holland late last year, when a 28 metre trailer lift boom descended rapidly, hitting a roof, creating a catapult effect and throwing the two occupants to their death.

Boom lifts typically work close to buildings and structures so that in the event of a turn over or sudden descent, the machine has a good chance of coming to rest against the structure.

In such a case the machine is saved from a complete turnover, but the boom can become a very effective catapult.

Why is it so difficult for the industry to get the message that wearing a Harness when using a boom lift can save your life!

It is most likely related to the fact that the number of incidents is relatively low and platforms are very safe, so “it will not happen to me” thinking sets in.. perhaps that is what the two dead men thought?