OSHA Inspection: K. ARMSTRONG TREE SERVICE

Issued

2010-11-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2010-11-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $400.00 · Current $400.00

Issued

2008-12-11 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-01-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $1500.00

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:
(a)  Location - 15 Brady Lane, Andover, MA:
On or about 06/25/08, an employee sustained injury after the tree he was
attached to
split, which in turn caused a force to be applied against the lanyard
crushing the
employee against the tree.
Among other methods, feasible means of abatement include complying with
ANSI
Z133.1-2006, Safety Requirements for Arborcultural Operations:
(1)  Before beginning any tree removal operation, the chain-saw operator
and/or crew
leader shall carefully consider all relevant factors pertaining to the
tree
and site and shall
take appropriate actions to ensure a safe removal operation.  The lean of
the tree shall
be considered.
(2)  Assess the spars, limbs, or leaders being worked on and the spars
being used for tie-
in and/or rigging points for structural integrity and potential reaction
forces that could
cause a spar to split or "slab off" when it is cut.
(3)  Only use a conventional notch, open-notch, or a Humboldt notch.
(4)  Notches shall be 45 degrees or greater and large enough to guide the
fall of the tree
or trunk to prevent splitting.
Additionallly, other feasible means of abatement include:
(1)  Cut the tree down in smaller sections vs. cutting the entire top off
at once.
(2)  Use an aerial lift to access the tree.
(3)  The hinge should be approximately ten percent of the tree's diameter
when fully
formed.r

Issued

2008-12-11 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-01-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $1500.00

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 hazards:
(a)  Location - 15 Brady Lane, Andover, MA:
On or about 06/25/08, an employee engaged in a tree cutting operation
sustained serious
injury after falling approximately 30-40 feet due to the cutting of the
personal positioning
lanyard.
Among other methods, feasible means of abatement include complying with
ANSI
Z133.1-2006, Safety Requirements for Arborcultural Operations:
(1)  Make available two means of securing the arborist/tree worker in a
tree.
(2)  Use a second point of attachment (for example, lanyard or
double-crotched climbing
line) when operating a chain saw in a tree, unless the employer
demonstrates that a
greater hazard is posed by using a second point of attachment while
operating a chain
saw in that particular situation.  Using both ends of a two-in-one lanyard
shall not be
considered two points of attachment when using a chain saw.
(3)  Have available a climbing line line and at least one other means of
being secured
while working aloft; for example, an arborist/tree worker climbing line
and a work
positioning lanyard.
Additionally, another feasible means of abatement include:
Use an aerial lift to access the tree.s