OSHA Inspection: HUTCHINSON TREE CARE SPECIALIST, INC.

Issued

Mar 31, 2000

Abate by

Oct 16, 2000

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,500 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 hazards of being caught
between tree sections during limbing and bucking operations:
On or about February 8, 2000
98 Ocean Drive East, Stamford, CT:   Employees were limbing and bucking a
tree, which was felled onto
sloping ground,  when a cut section shifted and rolled onto and crushed an
employee who was working in
between the 47 inch diameter cut section and the 32 inch diameter trunk
section that resulted in death.
Abatement Note:
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the
hazard is: (1)  Establish and
implement a company safety rule that states,  when  limbing or bucking on
any slope where rolling or sliding
of trees or logs is reasonably foreseeable the work will be done on the
uphill side of each tree or log.(2)
Ensure that employees in work areas are be spaced and the duties of each
employee are organized so that the
actions of one employee will not create a hazard for any other
employee.(3) Ensure that all new and existing
employees are trained in the recognition of safety and health hazards
associated with the employee's specific
work task, including the use of measures and work practices to prevent or
control the hazards involved with
tree cutting activities.