22.04.2007

Harnesses save two after 25m fall

In a highly unusual accident late last week, a large straight telescopic self propelled boom tipped over outside of the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids Michigan with two window cleaners on board.

The two men, Matt Dahlman and Marshall Balkema, were said to be working at around 90ft (27 metres). The fuzzy photographs we have been sent suggest that it might have been closer to 23 to 25 metres.
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The boom suddenly tipped over and landed on a van

The base section of the boom of the lift landed on a van causing a massive catapult effect at the basket, which appears to have touched the ground, although not with full impact thanks the van.

Both men were wearing full body harnesses and short lanyards and remained in the cage. It is certain that without the harnesses they would have been thrown some distance onto the paved area and almost certainly would not have survived.
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The two men are reported in fair condition after their ordeal

The men worked for Award Window Cleaning Services whose president Mark Reinhart, said the men are highly experienced. "It could have been much worse," he said. "They could have been thrown into the building. I really think their safety equipment saved their lives."
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The basket hardly touched the ground

In spite of the long drop both men were speaking and moving their limbs when the ambulance arrived.

The machine, a JLG, was working on flat firm ground and there was virtually no wind at the time. As poor as the pictures are it looks as though, either something happened to one of the axles or the ground gave way.
Police are investigating and have impounded the lift, which local TV reports suggest belonged to the Van Andel Arena, until it has been fully inspected

Note:

With Vertikal now reporting of accidents around the world, those less familiar with aerial lifts, might be given the impression that they are falling over all of the time.

In reality the number of accidents given the huge machbine population is extremely rare, particularly if the lift is being used correctly by a trained operator. An accident under those conditions is rarer than being struck by lightening.

Following several requests Vertikal.Net will shortly beging gathering and eventually reporting on the number of accidents per units at work.

Our aim in publishing these accident reports is to provide real life examples for training and awarenes purposes.