Brick wall falls into trench

A brick wall collapsed and killed a worker digging in a trench beside it. He had been looking for a water line and had dug down about four feet (1.22 meters). The wall, seven feet long (2.13 meters) by five feet high (1.52 meters) gave way and inflicted fatal injuries on the laborer.

Although this incident happened in the construction industry, it could just as easily have occurred during a weekend building or landscaping project. Many factors can affect the stability of a trench, including piled dirt removed from the excavation, presence of structures such as foundations or walls, nearby traffic or heavy equipment, type of soil and groundwater. Before you dig, make sure you know all the hazards and how to secure the sides of the trench from collapse.