Abstract: At approximately 3:15 p.m. on August 31, 1989, Employee #1, an apprentice carpenter with approximately two months of experience, was in the process of gathering tools and equipment after a day of carpentry framing in a townhouse under construction. Employee #1 was on the 3rd floor level when he either tripped or backed off the 3rd floor level, which did not have a temporary guard rail in place, and fell to the 2nd floor deck approximately 10 ft 4 in. below. Employee #1 apparently broke his fall when his upper body contacted a 2 in. by 4 in. brace before landing on his left side. Employee #1 was knocked unconscious; but regained consciousness before being transported to Alexandria Hospital with severe bruises and strains to his right thumb, left side, back, left thigh, and neck.