In June 2018, a scaffolder fell while crossing a void 5.7 metres above the ground. The scaffolder was wearing a fall arrest harness with a retractable type lanyard connected to a horizontal guardrail of a scaffold platform. When stepping 1.3 metres laterally to access a pipe support structure, the inertia reel mechanism of the lanyard engaged, impacting the scaffolder's balance. This caused the scaffolder to fall backwards through the void and swing against the scaffold structure. The webbing on the retractable lanyard then sheared below the shock (energy) absorber component. The scaffolder fell approximately four metres, landing on a staircase and dislocating his shoulder.
Direct causes
- The scaffolder lost his balance while crossing a void.
- The lanyard failed before deploying the shock absorber.
Contributory causes
- Higher level risk mitigation measures (e.g. a stairway) were not in use.
- The fall arrest equipment was not used in a way to reduce, so far as is practicable, the possibility of injury to the user.
- The anchor point selection was incorrect for the application and outside the maximum of 30° offset recommended in AS/NZS 1891.4:2009, Part 5.1.2.
- The lanyard integrity was compromised at the connection between the inertia reel and the shock absorber with the webbing material worn and/or damaged.
- The scaffolder's lateral swing (the pendulum effect) extended the fall distance, likely exceeding free fall limits, before the lanyard took up the load.