A Solar Company Owner Dies When He Falls Through a Skylight

SUMMARY

A solar company owner was working alone on a roof of a warehouse when he fell 40 feet through an unguarded skylight to the concrete floor below. The victim was setting up a drone on the roof to photograph work progress. He was unconscious after the fall and died on the same day at the hospital. The skylight did not have any protective coverings, screens, or guardrails at the time of the incident. The victim was not wearing personal fall protection. The CA/FACE investigator determined that, in order to prevent similar future incidents, solar companies should:

• Ensure that employees performing work within six feet of a skylight use skylight screens, covers, guardrails, nets, or personal fall protection systems—even for short-duration tasks such as periodic inspections or maintenance.

A Solar Company Owner Dies When He Falls Through a Skylight – California [PDF 518 KB]