Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311957286 - Lucia, Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office

Investigation Summary

On June 19, 2008, a crew of nine laborers, Employees #1 to #8 and a foreman, Employee #9, were high-lift grouting and washing unbraced concrete masonry unit, CMU, walls approximately 9 ft 8 in. in height, and varying in length from 15 ft 8 in. to 21 ft 8 in., on the second story of the McMurtry College dormitory under construction. A storm moved into the area, accompanied by a documented wind gust of approximately 68 miles per hour. The wind caused the unbraced first wall to collapse, striking the second wall. The second, third, fourth and fifth walls to collapse were struck by the preceding walls located 8 ft 4 in. south of the adjacent wall. The fifth wall was struck by the fourth, but collapsed into a double-bay room. Employee #1 was declared dead on site from blunt force injuries to the neck and torso. Employees #2 through #8 suffered injuries including fractures, sprains, strains and lacerations. Employees #2, #6 and #9 were hospitalized for their injuries, the others treated and released. Employee #9 suffered back injuries and multiple fractures. The employer utilized Standard Practice to determine the maximum unbraced height of the unsupported walls; however, the employer did not designate a responsible person to monitor wind conditions at the work, and did not remove employees from the work when winds exceeded speeds described in the Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls under Construction, July 2001.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HIGH WIND, COLLAPSE, BACK, LACERATION, STRUCK BY, CONCRETE, SPRAIN