The Risk of Using Desks and Chairs Instead of a Step Stool – School Safety Fatality File

Fall From Step Stool

A 38 year old male employee was fatally injured when he fell from a step stool striking his head onto the concrete floor below.

On the day of the incident, the victim and another employee were installing an interior main beam assembly, weighting 135 lbs., on a shelter building measuring 14 feet wide, 11 feet deep, and 7 feet 9 inches high. The assisting employee held one end of the beam while the victim used a step stool to lift the beam into the interior main bracket designed to cradle the beam.

After the victim placed the beam in the bracket he moved to the opposite end of the beam, placed the beam on his shoulder and stepped onto the step stool to install the beam into the bracket. The beam then fell out of the interior main bracket on the opposite end, causing the victim to lose his balance, and fall backwards striking his head on the concrete floor.

The victim was taken to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries the next day.

Source: www.tn.gov