OSHA Inspection: ASPLUNDH TREE EXPERT, INC.

Issued

Mar 7, 1995

Abate by

Mar 17, 1995

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

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:
(a)Asplundh Tree Expert Inc, a 93 Ford 4-wheel tractor, Model 6640, Serial
No.
BD02237 where an unauthorized modification of the safety neutral switch
from
the transmission resulted in the switch to be by-passed which killed an
employee
while jump starting the tractor.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is
the development and
implementation of the following:
1.Competent persons in the field should be trained in the recognition of
defective
equipment i.e., by-passed safety devices, safe operating procedures to
include the
manufactures specifications and procedures.
2.Company should re-evaluate training for all field employees in safe
operating
procedures for all equipment in accordance with company rules and
manufactures
specifications.
3.Competent persons in the field should conduct and evaluate employee
operating
procedures while actually operating the equipment to ensure employees are
not
taking short cuts in the performance of their duties.
4.Company should re-evaluate the maintenance contract to ensure that
during PMI
of field equipment that by- passing of safety devices be identified and
reported to
the company, and that equipment be maintained in accordance with
manufactures
specification.
5.Inspection of all company equipment should be conducted by a competent
person
to ensure that no unauthorized modifications exist on other field
equipment.

Issued

Mar 7, 1995

Abate by

Mar 13, 1995

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500