OSHA Inspection: ASPLUNDH TREE EXPERT CO.

Issued

Aug 14, 2009

Abate by

Aug 19, 2009

Penalty

Initial $4,500

General-duty citation text

Title 40.1-51.1(a) Code of Virginia:  The employer, Asplundh Tree Expert
Co., 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 bodily harm to employees in that an employee was exposed to
fall hazards while being rescued from
an inoperable aerial device.
At the worksite, located to the East of the intersection of Fritters Lane
and Duffey Drive, Stafford, Virginia,
employees were performing tree trimming for overhead utility lines.  One
employee was performing the tree
trimming from the bucket of a Terex XT-55 bucket truck.  While in an
elevated position, the hydraulic system
of the truck failed resulting in the bucket becoming inoperable.  The
employee in the bucket was thrown a rope
from the foreperson on site and attempted to rappel out of the bucket.
The employee fell approximately 20 to
25 feet, resulting in back injuries.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct
this
hazard is for the employer to
implement, train, and enforce the Aerial Device Rescue (Inoperable)
methods contained in the Asplundh Line
Clearance Qualification Standard (LCQS).  Contained in the LCQS, on page
10-13, it states:  "CAUTION:
Rappelling out of an aerial device - is strictly prohibited!!!  Do not
practice or attempt rappelling out of an
aerial device.  This maneuver poses serious hazards."