OSHA Inspection: HORTON TREE SERVICE

Issued

1998-08-31 00:00:00

Abate by

1998-09-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1100.00 · Current $660.00 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 an
employee was exposed to a fall hazard from inadequately maintained
equipment while
performing work from a Asplundh aerial lift.  The work was being performed
while the
boom was extended &30 - 35 feet, and was &12 - 17 feet above ground.  The
equipment
was inadequately maintained due to the absence of a preventive maintenance
program
requiring annual and frequent inspections to be performed which would have
detected any
cracks or other defects in the equipment.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THE HAZARD IS:
A.  Establish a preventive maintenance program in accordance with the
manufacturer's
recommendations and based on the environment and severity of use of the
aerial platform.
Also adhere to the manufacturer's recommendation from Product Bulletin
Warning number
105.
B.  Develop a checklist for frequent and annual inspections to be
performed on all aerial
platforms according to ANSI/SIA A92.5 - 1992. In addition keep written
records of these
inspections according to ANSI/SIA A92.5 - 1992.