OSHA Inspection: STEPHEN BLEVINS DBA BLEVINS TREE SERVICE

Issued

Oct 27, 2003

Abate by

Dec 15, 2003

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,150 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 the hazard of crushing, falls,
or traumatic injuries due to failure of machine components.
Jobsite at 489 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, Connecticut:  An employee
was in an aerial lift (Asplundh
Aerial Lift Model LR-50 S/N 837191 mounted on a 1982 Ford truck S/N
1X1FDXF82H9DVA38622).  He
fell to the ground when the hydraulic cylinder supporting the lower boom
failed.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to:
1.  Develop a formal documented inspection and preventive maintenance
program for the aerial lift in
accordance with American National Standards Institute Standard, ANSI A92.2
"Vehicle-Mounted
Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices" and the Asplundh Aerial Lift Manual.
2.  Review section IV of the Asplundh Aerial Lift Manual which describes
hydraulic cylinder maintenance
and repair including how often hydraulic cylinders need to be rebuilt or
replaced.  Repair/replace
upper and lower boom cylinders as indicated in the manual.
3.  Review Asplundh Product Bulletin No. 123 dated March 5, 1999 regarding
periodic replacement of
upper boom cables and mandatory rebuilding of machines over 15 years old.
Based on this bulletin
have qualified aerial lift mechanics conduct a thorough inspection and
overhaul of the aerial lift.  Have
a qualified engineer determine what critical components need rebuilding or
replacement.  Make repairs
only with factory approved replacement parts.