OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #607291

TREE FELLING,WORK RULES,TREE,FALL

1987-12-08T09:34:00

Event: TREE FELLING,WORK RULES,TREE,FALL
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 607291
Report ID: 418100

Event description

EMPLOYEE KILLED WHEN TREE HE WAS TOPPING FELL OVER

Investigation abstract

AT 9:34 AM ON DECEMBER 8, 1987, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS REMOVING THE TOP OF A 50 FOOT HI GH HICKORY TREE. HE WAS TIED OFF TO THE TREE, USING A CHAIN SAW TO CUT THE TOP. THE TREE FELL OVER, CARRYING EMPLOYEE #1 ALONG WITH IT TO THE GROUND. HE WAS KIL LED. (THERE IS NO MENTION OF THIS BY THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER, BUT IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT, HAD THE EMPLOYEE MORE CLOSELY EXAMINED THE CONDITION OF THE TREE BEFORE C LIMBING IT, HE MAY HAVE DECIDED NOT TO ATTEMPT TO TOP IT. WG)

Victim

#1 Fatality Age 17 M

Nature of injury
12

Part of body
19

Event type
5

Source
43

Occupation code
999

Human factor
1

Environmental factor
6

Task assigned
1

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