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Title: Fall of a contractor from a scaffolding access ladder
Reference: ALERT-RC-POL-2024-037 Date: 08/08/2024
Business: Refining Chemicals Country: France Site: Carling
Domains : Workplace safety Technological risk Transport Health Environment Security Societal
Causes key words: Fall from height
Consequences key words: Multiple fractures
Incident description:
o On August 08, 2024, 2 members of the contractor's staff carry out annual measurements of atmospheric
emissions at the stack of furnace A in the Polystyrene plant. This operation is carried out on scaffolding
approximately 3m high
o At around 11.10am, when sampling had been completed, one of the
workers set about taking the chimney trap plate used for sampling down
from the scaffolding, as part of the site retreat. His colleague is in the
van, taking measurements on the samples.
o He holds the plate weighing 1.5 kg in his left hand. After passing
through the safety gate, the operator uses the ladder to descend, still
holding the plate in his hand.
o He grabs the 1st rung of the ladder with his free hand and places his
feet on the ladder.
o In order to continue his descent, the operator tries to grasp the bottom
rung with his free hand. He misses his grip and grabs the bar of the
scaffolding structure instead of the ladder rung. This destabilizes him
and causes him to fall.
o The chimney hatch plate is found on the floor at the victim's feet.
The victim was wearing full PPE, and his helmet with chinstrap was
fastened. The operators on site immediately alerted the site emergency
services. After examination at the site infirmary, the victim was transferred
to hospital.