Patrick Carroll is an elevator mechanic with Capital Elevator in Ottawa. Last September, he would have fallen 60 feet down an elevator shaft were it not for his fall-arrest system.

Construction Safety: What were you doing just before the fall?

Carroll: We were hanging a chain block at the top of the hoistway. I climbed up a ladder—it was on a diagonal. I didn't take the time to put blocks behind the ladder. My helper was holding on to the ladder, and I asked him to hold on to the chain block too. The ladder slipped out and down I went.

CS: How far did you fall?

Carroll: I guess it was about 10 feet.

CS: Did it hurt when your fall was arrested?

Carroll: No, it wasn't too bad. I got a little scrape from the front zipper on my coveralls. I guess I adjusted the harness right, because it didn't jam me anywhere.

CS: How did they get you down?

Carroll: There were a couple of guys working on the next floor down. I guess they sort of noticed me hanging there. They said, "Do you need a hand?" and I said, "Yeah." They just hauled me in up over the guard.

CS: Do you agree with mandatory fall protection training?

Carroll: Yes—I think it's good that employers are forced to train their employees.

CS: Do you have any advice for fellow construction workers?

Carroll: Yeah, I'd say "buckle up"! I mean it works, obviously. Sometimes you think it'll take too much time, but don't let anyone tell you to hurry up. Take your time and do things safely.