OSHA Inspection: ALL SEASONS TREE SERVICE

Issued

Dec 3, 2001

Abate by

Jan 22, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

The following item, as described in the attached citation, is amended as
follows.
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 fall
and/or struck by hazards:
a) Private residence: 608 Oak Drive, Cherry Hill N.J. - Employees working
in a tree removal operations
were exposed to fall and struck by hazards in that job briefings were not
conducted by a qualified person
before the start of the job. On or about 06/04/01.
b) Private residence, 608 Oak Drive, Cherry Hill N.J. - Employees working
in a tree removal operations
were exposed to fall and struck by hazards in that proper tree assessments
were not conducted before
beginning any tree removal operation. On or about 06/04/01.
Among other methods, feasible and reasonable abatement methods to correct
this hazard are to develop a policy
that follows all the recommendations as outlined in the American National
Standard Institute's standard, Pruning,
Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush - Safety
Requirements (ANSI Z133.1 Revision
2000). These requirements include, but are not limited to:
1) A job briefing shall be performed by a qualified arborist in charge
before the start of each job.
2) Before beginning any tree removal operation, the chain saw operator
and/or crew
leader shall carefully consider the following conditions in the planning
process to
address tree and site factors and shall take appropriate actions to ensure
a safe
removal: a) Decayed or weak spots throughout the tree (be aware of
additional
hazards if these conditions exist in the hinge area) and b) When necessary
to
shorten
and/or remove branches before dropping the tree, the arborist shall
attempt to
determine if the tree can withstand the strain of lowering procedures. If
not, other
means of removing the tree shall be considered.
3) A visual hazard assessment including the root collar shall be performed
prior to climbing, entering or performing any work in the tree.
NOTE:ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
See page 2,"Notification of Corrective Action" for instructions.

Issued

Dec 3, 2001

Abate by

Dec 6, 2001

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced