OSHA Inspection: ASPLUNDH TREE EXPERT CO.

Issued

Sep 21, 2000

Abate by

Nov 30, 2000

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 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:
(a) Hazard of being struck by vehicular traffic while performing tree
trimming
operations.  This condition was observed on 06-28-00 while employee(s)
were using a
articulating boom truck, license #HD 6770 WI, on State Hwy 73 north of
Thorp WI.
The boom truck was parked (sitting) in the north bound lane of traffic on
the two lane
highway having a posted speed limit of 55 MPH with a employee working in
the elevated
bucket.  The employer did not provide traffic control such as but not
limited to a smooth
transition zone from the north bound lane of traffic into the south bound
(on coming
traffic) around the truck, did not position a flag person after an advance
warning
area
prior to the transition area, and did not provide a termination area for a
smooth transition
for vehicular traffic back to two lanes once past the work area.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct the hazard
include:
(a) Follow the requirements for traffic control signs and devices for the
protection of
employees in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(ANSI
D6.1-1971).
(b) Take the necessary measures to assure employee(s) and foreman comply
with the
company's written safety policy related to traffic control to check local
D.O.T.
requirements for the area where work is conducted, and the use of a flag
person when
necessary, and to be certain that a hazard assessment takes into
consideration traffic
conditions such as speed.