Recognize fragile rooflights before access: The Kentucky demolition fatality (2022)
Kentucky FACE 22KY046 reports a fatal fall through a skylight on 24 May 2022 during demolition. It addresses assessment, fall protection, training and communication.
Understand the situation
A skylight may resemble the roof surface without being suitable to stand on. Focusing only on an individual step misses identification, physical protection and route planning.
Review the task
Separate incident findings from recommendations. Before roof access at your site, identify fragile areas, define routes and ensure workers and contractors receive the same information.
Check your workplace
- Were skylights identified along the route?
- What physical barriers were present?
- Were all contractors informed?
Apply the lesson
Korean rule 45 includes robust skylight covers within its roof-work provisions. Elsewhere, establish local requirements.
Checking harness wear alone does not address the opening and roof-protection assessment.
Avoid a common mistake
Revisit the route when demolition or material movement changes it. The Safety Kim scene is educational and does not establish the actual roof layout or the victim’s actions.
Putting it into practice
Do not end the analysis at individual movement. Examine access routes, opening protection and coordination.
Technical insight
Preventing a fall versus arresting one
Preventing access to a fragile area and arresting a fall serve different purposes. Focusing only on a harness can leave the roof hazard and access route unchanged.
Review avoidance and a protected work platform first. Where personal fall protection is needed, assess anchorage and continuity of protection while moving.
Korean safety resources
- KOSHA · Safety management for roof and ceiling work
Korean e-book, viewer p.178: roof, skylight and opening hazards. Embedded legal/guide references reflect the original edition.
- KOSHA GUIDE A-G-12-2026 · Use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
Korean-language technical recommendations on PPE selection, training and maintenance; use alongside the product manual.
Sources
- Kentucky FACE 22KY046미국 / US
- 국가법령정보센터 — 안전보건규칙 전체본대한민국 / Korea