Height Hazard: Fall Protection Beyond the Roof Fatality File

Maintenance Worker Hospitalized After Falling 20 Feet from Hospital Roof

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, a maintenance employee at a hospital in The Woodlands, Texas, was seriously injured after falling approximately 20 feet from an upper roof level to a lower section with limited access. Crews from The Woodlands Fire Department and the Montgomery County Hospital District responded to the scene around 3:30 p.m. and located the worker stranded on the lower roof.

Firefighters performed a technical rescue, using a ladder truck, multiple ground ladders, and specialized rope-rigging systems to lift the worker back up to the upper roof before lowering him safely to the ground. The employee was transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

Although full injury details have not yet been released, the incident underscores the significant fall hazards faced by maintenance personnel working at elevation — even during routine tasks on non-construction structures such as hospitals. Proper fall protection, clear access routes, and elevated work assessments remain critical to preventing serious injuries.

Source: Abc13.com