Real-Life Scenario
Three employees were using a crane to unload stacks of metal roof decking onto open web steel joists. The joists were not bridged, supported or restrained against movement. After the load was set down on the joists, the employees began to release the slings. After the first sling was released, the load shifted and one of the joists fell over. This caused the joist to collapse and fall 40 feet to the ground. One of the employees was tied off to this joist, and he was pulled off the roof. Two other joists rolled over and collapsed, landing on the employee. The employee suffered severe head injuries but survived.