NIOSH • 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508 • 304-285-5916

FACE IT: Report Visual Extension
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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Laborer, Pipefitter, and Utility Foreman Crushed 

by Falling Block Wall - Tennessee

(FACE 2014-02)

Collapsed wall

(Photo courtesy of TOSHA)
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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SUMMARY 

• On April 18, 2013, a 24-yearold Hispanic laborer and a 

37-year-old Hispanic 

pipefitter were crushed by a 

falling block wall when it 

failed. 

• A 46-year-old utility foreman 

was also injured in the 

incident. 

Site Diagram, Not to Scale
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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SUMMARY 

• At the time of the incident, the 

laborer was applying caulking 

to the expansion joints of a 

block wall, and the pipefitter 

and the utility foreman were 

installing piping for the 

building’s sprinkler system in a 

trench next to the block wall. 

• A wind gust caused the block 

wall to fall onto the laborer, 

pipefitter, and utility foreman. 

East Wall Collapsed - Arrow Indicates Location of 

Three Workers

(Photo courtesy of TOSHA) 
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

• Deviation from engineering drawings 

• Inadequate inspection of rebar 

placement

• Inadequate bracing for the block wall

• Wall height extending too far above the 

bracing

• Worker proximity to unbraced block wall

• Lack of competent person to monitor 

wind speed

• Inadequate training related to masonry 

wall safety Interior Wall Bracing

(Photos courtesy of TOSHA)
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Employers should:

• Ensure that employees 

follow the 

engineering/architectural 

drawings during building 

construction and obtain 

engineering approval 

before plan changes are 

made.

East Wall Rebar Location

(Photo courtesy of TOSHA)
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Employers should:

• Develop and follow a masonry wall 

bracing plan, train employees on 

proper masonry wall bracing, and 

ensure masonry walls are properly 

braced throughout the project.

Wall bracing example

(Figure courtesy of MCCA 2012)
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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• Employers should:

• Develop and implement a restricted/limited access zone.

• Train workers on the hazards of working around 

unsupported masonry walls.

• Assign a competent person trained to monitor wind 

speeds.

• Schedule work tasks to limit exposure of nonessential 

workers to hazards posed by masonry walls under 

construction.

RECOMMENDATIONS (Continued)
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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Laborer, Pipefitter, 

and Utility Foreman 

Crushed by Falling 

Block Wall in 

Tennessee (FACE 

2014-02)

Download the full report: 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/

face/pdfs/full201402.pdf
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program

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CONTACT US

Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation 

Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch

Division of Safety Research, NIOSH

1000 Frederick Lane, M/S 1808

Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-2888

FACE Webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/

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