OSHA Inspection: THE WILDS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, INC.

Issued

Sep 25, 2001

Abate by

Sep 28, 2001

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $1,575 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of North Carolina:  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)cabin #4 area, on or about 13 July 01, an employee
performing arborist duties was exposed to the hazards of
falling from and/or being struck by a falling tree trunk
section.
Among other methods, one feasible means of abatement is to
comply with ANSI Z133.1-1994, revised January 1, 1997,
American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations-
Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and
Cutting Brush-Safety Requirements, Section 9.5.1:  Before
beginning any felling operation, the worker shall carefully
consider and incorporate appropriate action into the planning
of the following included but not limited to:
1)  The tree and surrounding area including other trees for
anything that may cause a hazardous condition;
2) The shape of the tree and the type of wood;
3)  The lean of the tree;
4)  Wind force and direction;
5)  Decayed or other weak spots throughout the tree.  Beware
of additional hazards if these conditions exist in the
hinge area;
6)  The location and the means to protect other persons,
property, and all utility wires.
Note:  Inspection of decayed or other weak spots throughout
the tree to include but not limited to sounding with a hammer;
probing with a drill; knife or stiff wire; core the stem with
an increment borer; visual conditions of the bark.
Other feasible methods of abatement are:
1)Remove the tree while working from an aerial lift or
similar device; or,
2)Mechanical felling of the tree; or,
3)Fell the tree while working from the ground without
climbing; or,
4)Tie into and work from a sound tree.
Reference:  ANSI Z133.1-1994, Section 9.1.1  Prior to climbing
operations, a visual inspection of the entire tree (including
root collar) should be performed.
Reference:  ANSI Z133.1-1994, Section 9.4.1  Workers
performing topping operations should inspect the trees to
assure they can stand the strain of the lowering procedures. If not, some
other means of lowering the branches should be
provided.
Reference:  National Arborists' Association Pocket Guide
Identifying Hazard Trees, 2000, p. 18-21. and Table for
Thickness of sound wood for tree to be climbable.

Issued

Sep 25, 2001

Abate by

Sep 28, 2001

Penalty

Initial $413 · Current $210 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of North Carolina:  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)jobsite, on or about 13 Jul 01, an employee was
positioned in a tree while topping overhead branches and
was not wearing approved head protection.
b)jobsite, on or about 13 Jul 01, an employee was using a
chainsaw and was not wearing eye and face protection.
NOTE:  Among other feasible methods, one means of abatement is
to require the use of approved head protection while
performing arborist duties while overhead hazards are present
and require any employee using a chainsaw, chipper, or
performing any other task creating eye and/or face hazards to
wear approved eye and face protection.
Reference ANSI Z133.1-1994, Section 4.2.2:  Head protection
shall be worn by workers engaged in tree operations.  It shall
conform to the applicable provisions of ANSI Z89.1.
Reference ANSI Z133.1-1994, Section 4.2.1:  Personal
protective equipment as outlined in 4.2 shall be required
where there is a reasonable probability of injury or illness
that can be prevented by such protection.
Reference ANSI Z133.1-1994, Section 4.2.4:  Eye and face
protection when required shall comply to applicable provisions
of ANSI Z87.1.ions

Issued

Sep 25, 2001

Abate by

Sep 28, 2001

Issued

Sep 25, 2001

Abate by

Oct 29, 2001