Man Catapulted from Personlift

A journeyman glazier died after attempting to lift a 1,000 pound (450-kilogram) case of glass with a personlift.

Using the man lift to move cases of glass was a normal procedure. With the boom retracted, the lift has a rated capacity of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms). But the inexperienced glazier tried to lift the glass with the boom extended.

A sling was hooked to the bucket of the man lift, and from his position in the bucket the victim tried to lift it. Since the combined weight of the victim and the glass was too much, the glass did not move. Instead, the bucket on the boom was drawn down toward the glass as the off-side wheels were lifted off the ground by about 4.5 feet (1.4 meters). The victim reversed the controls, causing a sudden drop in the boom.

The sling came loose.

Relieved of the load imposed by the case of glass, the wheels dropped. The boom hurtled skyward and the victim was catapulted from the bucket, landing more than 30 feet (9.1 meters) away.

Only fully trained and qualified personnel should operate machinery and equipment—and it should be operated only within the limits of the design specifications. Additionally, fall protection equipment should be used by anyone working in elevated platforms.