Date of incident: March 2016
Notice of incident number: 2016161530015
Employer: Seafood distributor

Incident summary

A worker was using an elevating work platform (order picker) to retrieve an order from a shelving unit in the storage freezer of a warehouse. The worker fell from a height of approximately 20 to 25 feet (6 to 7.5 metres) to the concrete floor below, sustaining serious injuries.

Investigation conclusions

Cause

• No fall protection while using elevating work platform: The worker was not wearing the required fall protection. As a result, he fell approximately 20 to 25 feet to the concrete floor from the sixth level of shelving, where he was picking orders. He sustained serious injuries from the fall.

Underlying factor

• Worker did not place pallet on forks of order picker: The worker was picking an order without a pallet on the forks of the order picker. Stock is supposed to be taken from the shelf by assemblers and placed on the pallet on the order picker. Without a pallet in place, stock would need to be placed on the operator’s platform or directly on the forks, thereby exposing the worker to missteps and tripping hazards. This is contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions and the employer’s procedure.

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