OSHA Inspection: TOP OF THE LINE TREE EXPERTS

Issued

Apr 22, 2009

Abate by

Apr 28, 2009

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

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 being struck by a tree during felling operations:
(a)Tailwaters of Grafton Dam - Frog Run Road:  Two workers assisted the
fall of an 84
foot, 12 inch diameter maple tree using a 1/2" 120 foot True Blue pull
rope. The
workers, standing 65 foot from the stump of the tree, did not maintain a
minimum
clear distance of one tree length, as determined on or about March 27,
2009.
NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this
hazard is when a pull line is being used, workers involved in removing a
tree or trunk shall
be clear by a minimum of one tree length, as specified by section 8.5.12
of
the American
National Standard, ANSI Z133.1-2006, "Safety Requirements for
Arboricultural Operations".
ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR
THIS ITEM

Issued

Apr 22, 2009

Abate by

Apr 28, 2009

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

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 being struck by a tree during felling operations:
(a)Tailwaters of Grafton Dam - Frog Run Road:  Two workers assisted the
fall of an 84
foot, 12 inch diameter maple tree using a 1/2" 120 foot True Blue pull
rope. An
escape route was not planned and prepared for prior to felling the tree,
as determined
on or about March 27, 2009.
NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this
hazard is to plan and prepare an escape route for all workers before
cutting any standing tree
or trunk.  The preferred escape route is 45 degrees on either side of a
line drawn opposite
the intended direction of the fall.  Obstructions shall be cleared along
the escape path. The
chain-saw operator shall use this path for egress once the cut has been
completed, as
specified by section 8.5.4 of the American National Standard, ANSI
Z133.1-2006, "Safety
Requirements for Arboricultural Operations".
ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR
THIS ITEM

Issued

Apr 22, 2009

Abate by

Apr 28, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

Issued

Apr 22, 2009

Abate by

Apr 28, 2009

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $450

Issued

Apr 22, 2009

Abate by

Apr 28, 2009

Penalty

Current $2,100

Issued

Apr 22, 2009

Abate by

Apr 28, 2009