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Collapse of Shoring: Fatal Fact #13
Construction Company Type: Boring and Pipe Jacking Excavation
Accident Description:
Four employees were boring a hole and pushing a 20-inch pipe casing under a road. The employees were in an excavation approximately 9 feet wide, 32 feet long and 7 feet deep. Steel plates 8' × 15' × ¾", being used as shoring, were placed vertically against the north and south walls of the excavation at approximately a 30 degree angle. There were no horizontal braces between the steel plates. The steel plate on the south wall tipped over, pinning an employee (who was killed ) between the steel plate and the pipe casing. At the time the plate tipped over, a backhoe was being operated adjacent to the excavation.
OSHA Recommendations:
- Provide an adequately constructed and braced shoring system for employees working in an excavation that may expose employees to the danger of moving ground (29 CFR 1926.651(c))
- If heavy equipment is operated near an excavation, stronger shoring must be used to resist the extra pressure due to superimposed loads (29 CFR 1926.651(q))
Inspection Results
As a result of its investigation, OSHA issued a citation for two alleged serious violations of its construction standards.
OSHA's construction safety standards include several requirements which, if they had been followed here, might have prevented this fatality.
Sources of Help
- Construction Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207) which contains all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations covering construction.
- Excavation and Trenching Operations (OSHA 2226) which details OSHA excavation and trenching standards
- Safety and Health in Excavation and Trenching Operations (available from the National Audiovisual Center - Order No 689601 ), an instructional program with instructor's manual and 139 slides designed to provide greater knowledge and understanding of hazards in excavation and trenching.
Accident Details: Collapse of Shoring |
|
| Company Type: | Boring and Pipe Jacking Excavation |
| Crew Size: | 4 |
| Union/Collective Bargaining? | Yes |
| Weather: | Clear |
| Worksite Inspection? | Yes |
| Designated Competent Person on Site? | Yes |
| Employer Safety and Health Program? | No |
| Training and Education for Employees? | Yes |
| Craft of Deceased Worker(s): | Pipe Welder |
| Age / Sex of Deceased Worker(s): | 62; male |
| Experience or Time on Job: | 18 years |
| Time on Project: | 2 1/2 |
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