OSHA Inspection: FRIENDLY TREE SERVICE, INC.

Issued

Feb 2, 2007

Abate by

Feb 7, 2007

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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: Fall/Struck-By hazards.
Worksites, such as but not limited to, 177 Mitchell Street, West Orange, NJ
a) Employees working in tree removal operations were not provided an
adequate job
briefing conducted by a qualified person before the start of the job.
b) An employee was not secured by a minimum of two means while working in
the tree
during removal operations.
c) A proper tree assessment was not conducted before the beginning of the
tree removal
operation.
Violations discovered on or about 8/3/06
AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND REASONABLE ABATEMENT METHODS
TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD ARE:
Developing and implementing a policy that follows all the requirements
outlined in the ANSI
standard for Arboricultural Operations (ANSI Z133.1 Revision 2000)
Pruning, Repairing,
Maintaining and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush- Safety Requirements.
These requirements
include, but are not limited to:
a) A job briefing shall be performed by a qualified arborist in charge
before the start of each
job.
b) Arborists shall have at least two means of being secured while working
aloft.
c) Before beginning any tree removal operation, the chainsaw 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 safe removal: 1)
Decayed or weak spots
throughout the tree (be aware of additional hazards if these conditions
existing the hinge area)
2) When necessary to shorten or remove branches before dropping the tree,
the arborist shall
attempt to determine if the tree can withstand the strain of the lowering
procedures.  If not, other
means of removing the tree shall be considered.
d) A visual hazard assessment including the root collar shall be performed
prior to climbing,
entering or performing any work in the tree.

Issued

Feb 2, 2007

Abate by

Feb 7, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Feb 2, 2007

Abate by

Feb 7, 2007

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 2, 2007

Abate by

Feb 7, 2007

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 2, 2007

Abate by

Feb 7, 2007