OSHA Inspection: SUBURBAN FARMER COMPANY

Issued

Nov 14, 2008

Abate by

Nov 26, 2008

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,900 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 serious multiple injuries or death from falling while
trimming branches of a
tree:
JOBSITE:  The employer did not conduct a onsite job briefing and visual
hazard
wearing a position body belt attached to a point below the waist height by
wrapping the belt
around the "above" branch, fell to the ground with the branch when the
cable was cut by the
employee and sustained fatal injuries from the fall.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the
hazard is to:
1. Conduct a onsite job briefing and visual hazard assessment with
employees involved in the
above tasks.
2. Ensure through providing training and instructions that specific and
step-by-step procedures
are followed by every employees at all times.
3. Utilize other methods, such as (but not limited to) utilizing
mechanical equipment.
4. Utilize other available engineering technologies.
5. Comply with the appropriate sections of the following American National
Standard
Institute,
ANSI Z133.1-2006, publications:
A) ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 3.1.4: "A job briefing shall be performed by
the
qualified arborist in charge before the start of each job. The briefing
shall be
communicated to all affected workers. An employee working alone need not
conduct a
job briefing, however, the employer shall ensure that the tasks are being
performed as
if a briefing were required."
B) ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 8.1.1: "A visual hazard assessment, including
a root
collar inspection, shall be performed prior to climbing, entering, or
performing any work
in a tree."

Issued

Nov 14, 2008

Abate by

Dec 4, 2008

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Nov 14, 2008

Abate by

Dec 4, 2008

Issued

Nov 14, 2008

Abate by

Dec 4, 2008

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Nov 14, 2008

Abate by

Dec 4, 2008

Issued

Nov 14, 2008

Abate by

Nov 24, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced