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COLLAPSE OF SHORING
| Accident Type: |
Collapse of Shoring |
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| Weather Conditions: |
Clear |
| Type of Operation: |
Boring and Pipe Jacking Excavation |
| Size of Work Crew: |
4 |
| Collective Bargaining |
Yes |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: |
Yes |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
No |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: |
Yes |
| Training and Education Provided: |
Yes |
| Employee Job Title: |
Pipe Welder |
| Age & Sex: |
62-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
18 years |
| Time on Project: |
2½ |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
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.
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.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION 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))
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.
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed. |
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