OSHA Inspection: GARDNER & SON

Issued

Aug 26, 2003

Abate by

Sep 5, 2003

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

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 crushing hazards:
On 07/08/03 an employee was injured while cutting a tree branch with a
chain saw.  The branch
prematurely split away from the tree and struck the employee on the head.
The notch was not
cut large enough and the notch was cut half way through the branch. When
the back cut was
made into the branch it penetrated into the hinge area causing the branch
to prematurely split.
The employee was not provided with and using head protection that
conformed to ANSI Z89.1.
One feasible method of abatement would be to follow the American National
Standard for
Arboricultural Operations - Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing
Trees, and Cutting
Brush - Safety Requirements. Notches shall be 45 degrees or greater and
large enough to guide
the fall of branches. Notch depth should not exceed one-third of the
diameter of the branch.  The
back cut shall not penetrate into the predetermined hinge area. Employees
shall wear head
protection while engaged in tree removal operations.