OSHA Inspection: OFF THE TOP TREE SERVICE

Issued

Oct 2, 1996

Abate by

Oct 7, 1996

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to being struck by falling limbs:
(a)Private residence at 40 Westminster Street - Employees were working
below tree
limbs which were being cut without safeguards to prevent them from being
struck
by the falling limbs;  on or about 4/4/96.
ABATEMENT NOTE:
Among others, one feasible and useful method to abate this hazard is to
follow the
recommendations outlined in the American National Standard for Tree
Operations - Pruning,
Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush
Safety
Requirements (ANSI Z133.1 - 1988).
Section 8 of ANSI Z133.1 - 1988 outlines safe work practices for tree
trimming work.
Applicable work practices include the following:
1.Guidelines, handlines, or taglines shall be used to lower limbs.
2.Employees shall not be allowed to work under limbs which are being cut.
3.Warnings, such as "heads up",  shall be given before a limb is dropped.

Issued

Oct 2, 1996

Abate by

Oct 7, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $375 Reduced