Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1807490.015 - Quality 1st Basement Systems, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

At 11:30 a.m. on February 28, 2025, Employee #1 and Employee #2 and Coworker #1 and Coworker #2 , were applying CTS Cement Rapid Set Mortar Mix on an exposed fieldstone foundation wall to reinforce the deteriorating wall. The crew was working inside a trench that was approximately 34-foot-long by 3-foot-wide by 6-foot-deep in type C soil. Employees #1 and Employee #2 were working in the eastern side of the trench while Coworker #1 and Coworker #2 were working in the southern side of the trench. Coworker #3, was also working inside the the eastern side of the trench, but was tasked to dig below the base of the foundation wall. Coworker #3 exited the trench and either Employee #1 or Employee #2 took Coworker #3's place. The foundation wall excavated and dug underneath the wall using shovels and a rotary hammer to create a concrete foundation. No cave-in protection or shoring was used. The eastern side of the wall fell into the trench striking Employee #1 and Employee #2, fatally injuring both employees.

Keywords: Arm, Building, Building Collapse, Cementing, Collapse, Construction, Crushed, Digging, Engineering Controls, Falling Object, Fracture, Hand Tool, Head, Laborer, Lack of Engineering Controls, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, PPE, PPE Hazard Assessment, Residential Construction, Struck By, Structural Collapse, Trench, Trench Box, Unsafe Position, Unstable Surface, Wall