EE WAS STANDING WITH HANDS IN POCKET WITH HIS BACK TO WOODEN PALLET. WITHOUT LOOKING WHERE HE WAS STEPPING HE STEPPED BACKWARD & TRIPPED OVER THE PALLET FALLING BACK LANDING WITH WEIGHT ON RIG HT SHOULDER. ON 1/2/01 INJ REPORTED CONT PAIN. WAS TAKEN TO DR MRI WAS POSITIVE FOR A TEAR IN RIGHT SHOULDER TENDON. RETD TO REG DUTY SURGERY IS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY INJ. MRI REPORT RECD ON