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Accident: 201113131 - Employees Injured From Collapsing Retaining Wall

Accident: 201113131 -- Report ID: 0950643 -- Event Date: 07/26/2001
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
12617718707/26/20011521Altmann Construction Co
On July 26, 2001, Employees #1 and #2 were excavating an 18-in. deep trench for a new sewer line next to the footing of a new retaining wall. A retaining wall was located between one side of a wooden shed and a hillside. The shed was demolished days earlier. The height from the shed's foundation to the top of the sloped earth level ranged from approximately 5.5 ft to the North and approximately 7 ft to the east. As one of the employees was breaking up the earth within the trench with a jackhammer, the retaining wall collapsed upon both of them. Emergency medical services were summoned and both employees were transported to the hospital. Both employees were hospitalized to receive medical treatment. Employee #2 sustained a fracture to his pelvic girdle in the accident, but was treated and released. As for Employee #1, he suffered serious injuries consisting of a fractured femur and acetabulum (a cup-shape socket in the hipbone). The employees were not licensed to perform the excavation work. The factors contributing to the accident were that the retaining wall was not shored and the employees were undermining the foundation of the retaining wall.
Keywords: excavation, fracture, collapse, jackhammer, trench, retaining wall, hip, leg
End Use Proj Type Proj Cost Stories NonBldgHt Fatality
Single family or duplex dwelling New project or new addition Under $50,000 1 6
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation Construction
1 126177187 Non Hospitalized injury Fracture Construction laborers FallDist:
FallHt:
Cause: Excavation
FatCause: Collapse of structure
2 126177187 Hospitalized injury Fracture Construction laborers FallDist:
FallHt:
Cause: Excavation
FatCause: Collapse of structure

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