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JICOSH Home > Case Studies > Case No.92
Case No.92

Gondola falls while being lifted by mobile crane
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[Description of the Accident]

When the operator of a mobile crane, who used an auxiliary cable to lift a gondola during an operation, was trying to lower the gondola back to the ground, the gondola suddenly fell to the ground.

On the day of the accident, the victim rode in the gondola that was lifted by an auxiliary cable on the mobile crane to carry out gutter installation work. When the work was completed, the operator of the mobile crane tried to lower the gondola back to the ground. However, when the operator was lowering the gondola by gravity while adjusting the brake, he was preoccupied with turning the crane and released the brake. As a result, the gondola suddenly dropped to the ground.

During the fall, the gondola turned over when it hit the first-floor eaves, and then crashed into the ground with the victim inside. The worker died from injuries to his chest.


[Causes supposed]

1. The worker was permitted to ride in a container originally made to carry scrap wood. The container was then hoisted by mobile crane and the worker was required to carry out work inside such container.

2. The gondola was being lowered by gravity, with the fall checked by a cable brake only.

3. Measures were not taken to prevent the gondola from swinging out of position or falling.

4. The worker was not instructed to use a safety belt in spite of carrying out operations at an elevated site.


[Type of business] Overland goods handling
[Caused by] Mobile crane
[Type of accident] Falling to lower level
[Number of victims] One fatality
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