Electrician falls in West Palm Beach Florida

[gafftaper]

This just in from the PLSN news:
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Lighting Tech Killed in Fall from Catwalk
WEST PALM BEACH — Fenton "Andy" Hollingsworth, 27, a lighting technician at the 300-seat Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse, part of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, was killed Dec. 3 after falling from a 30-foot-high catwalk.

Hollingsworth was working with lighting gear mounted on truss at the time of the accident, about 2 p.m. Others at the playhouse saw and heard Hollingsworth fall and rushed to his aid, but he was not breathing when police officials arrived.

Hollingsworth was pronounced dead at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. He had worked at the Kravis Center since April 2007.

A spokesman for the Kravis Center said the next scheduled production at the Rinker Playhouse, Our Finest Dreams, will open Friday as planned. Other Kravis Center productions, including the Dec. 3 opening for Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, were also expected to proceed as planned.

Judging from the fact they have a show opening Friday, he was apparently doing some late changes to the lighting as the show completes it's dress rehearsals. Something we've all done 100 times.

As always, the thoughts and prayers of CB's community go out to the friends and family of our lost brothers.

 

[Van]

My heart goes out for this young mans family and freinds. but please take notice fellow members..........he was 27 ! Twenty Seven ! Kids remember, You are not Immortal or invunerable. Wear your fall arrest gear! and he was on scaffold which is safer than crawling around on truss, or on a ladder usually.

 

[headcrab]

Oh gosh. That's sad. Is it known how he was able to fall from a scaffold? I am assuming that the railings were properly mounted etc.

 

[Footer]

Wear your fall arrest gear! and he was on scaffold which is safer than crawling around on truss, or on a ladder usually.

I have yet to find what he actually fell from. Some reports are saying he was on a truss, others say catwalk. Where did you find the scafold thing?

 

[gafftaper]

A couple stories from the local Florida News. I only see the word Catwalk, not Scaffold.

Worker falls
Funeral Services Set With a short video montage of him and his wife. They were getting ready to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary.

This one strikes me as extra sad and I really feel like doing something about it. Does anyone feel like chipping in a few bucks to send flowers or something? Send me a PM.

 

[derekleffew]

More information, particularly about the venue, at Theatre Safety Blog.

 

[dcollins]

such sad news...my thoughts go to his workmates and family...

 

[What Rigger?]

Always wear fall protection, gang. And make sure you've got the right gear AND training. One without the other is useless.

It's too early to speculate on this. However, a buddy of mine in FL seems to have known the guy in question. If I learn anything credible/pertinent, I'll share.

What seems saddest to me is the comment about his shoes. They don't prevent or arrest a fall. Along that line, I've also always believed in educating my spouse/friends/family about what I do and the risks, safety measures, and risk management involved. Yes, there are hazards. No, a job is not worth your life. And no-no-no the show does NOT have to go on. That's no comfort to his wife and family.

 

[gafftapegreenia]

It's so hard trying to discern details of this accident since news reporters have no idea concerning proper theatre terminology.

 

[gafftaper]

Anybody else feel like contributing to send flowers to the funeral on Thursday? Let me know ASAP via PM. I haven't figured out how to send the money yet. I'm working on that.

 

[Footer]

About Me blearyeyedme.com
Thats his Blog....

Man killed in Kravis fall loved the theater
Another story, this one has a bit more info. It at least clears up the shoe thing.

Overall, this looks like it could have gone two ways, either he was up on a truss and not tied off or the railings on the catwalk were not properly constructed. Either way, it should not have happened.

 

[Van]

Sorry about the confusion earlier. I think one of the stories I read was using the term Scaffolding and Catwalk as interchangable. Going back and re-reading has provided no insight into this at all.

 

[gafftaper]

Okay here's the deal on sending flowers. Send me a PM telling me how much you would like to donate. If we have enough people that we can send something decent I will tell dvsDave what you want to donate. He will then send you a bill via Paypal for the amount you told me you want to give. When the donations are all in we will purchase something using the CB credit card. The funeral is Thursday so there's not enough time to pull this off, but we know where the theater is so I'm sure we won't have a problem sending something. I'm also going to contact someone at the theater to see if there is any sort of a memorial fund we could donate to instead of flowers.

 

[ptero]

Hi all. I haven't seen any indication of a desired donation target yet. I decided to send a card and contribution to his wife c/o the church where the funeral is being held. fwiw:

Shannon Hollingsworth
c/o Community United Methodist Church
401 Southwest 1st Street
Belle Glade, FL 33430-3486

mods: Is it ok to post the address in the clear? If not, feel free to delete it and I'll respond to pm requests.

 

[Footer]

Okay here's the deal on sending flowers. Send me a PM telling me how much you would like to donate. If we have enough people that we can send something decent I will tell dvsDave what you want to donate. He will then send you a bill via Paypal for the amount you told me you want to give. When the donations are all in we will purchase something using the CB credit card. The funeral is Thursday so there's not enough time to pull this off, but we know where the theater is so I'm sure we won't have a problem sending something. I'm also going to contact someone at the theater to see if there is any sort of a memorial fund we could donate to instead of flowers.

What about giving a donation to Behind the Scenes on behalf of?

 

[gafftaper]

Yeah I was thinking about Behind The Scenes as an alternative to flowers.

I was also thinking that we should make this a regular thing. I would like to develop a plan of what we do when we loose one of our brothers or sisters. While analyzing the coverage of the accident in the news is interesting I always feel a bit of a connection and wish I could do something.

If you are interested in helping me develop "CB Cares" or if you don't have the time but you think it's a good idea and you would be willing to chip in a few bucks to support it in the future, please send me a PM. If there is enough interest I'll move ahead with it.

 

[dvsDave]

I'm not sure if this tech's family qualifies for the BTS fund.

If not, I would prefer not to make a donation to the BTS fund, and instead find a way to give directly to the widow.

 

[Footer]

I'm not sure if this tech's family qualifies for the BTS fund.

If not, I would prefer not to make a donation to the BTS fund, and instead find a way to give directly to the widow.

They do, ESTA Foundation - Behind the Scenes - About Behind the Scenes, News, Apply for a Grant, Make a Contribution

 

[derekleffew]

New developments. From Local News: West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Martin & St. Lucie Counties | The Palm Beach Post

"We've seen several examples of employers in the entertainment industry that have not provided precautions adequate to protect workers. And we've seen fatalities as a result of that," Assistant Labor Secretary and OSHA Director David Michaels said Thursday during a conference call with reporters, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

"There's a tremendous amount of risky work in these facilities and safety is often not considered the highest priority in these cases," Michaels said.

See also Kravis fined $4,900 for not having guardrail to prevent fatal Dec. 3 fall from where this photo was linked.

 

[ruinexplorer]

When Fenton "Andy" Hollingsworth lost his balance on a lighting truss 25 feet above a Kravis Center stage, he might have, in the last seconds of his life, reached for a guardrail .

But there was none.

This opening annoyed me. As anyone who has taken a fall safety class, this is the number one mistake people make when at risk of falls. The guardrail would have prevented him from getting into a fall hazard, but since the article states that he was working on the lights at that moment, he would have likely been reaching beyond the rail in the first place. I don't know how often I have heard people complain about the railings getting in the way of their work. I have more than once seen people clearly going beyond the protection of a guardrail so that they can focus a light, add a gobo or gel, or many other common tasks we do so often.

When I was a TD, I made sure that anyone working at height had the proper training for the risks involved. Sure, I had many people complain that they have "always" done it their way and never been hurt. I'm sure this guy felt the same way.

Don't be lulled into "safe" practices that seem to flow freely in our industry. Make sure that you are properly trained in the hazards of our industry. Your employer may be negligent and not provide you with the training, but your life is in your hands. Be safe!