OSHA Inspection: MILL RIVER TREE SERVICE, INC.

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,400 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 bodily injuries while operating and/or servicing
of a brush chipper
machine:
JOBSITE:  The employer did not ensure through conducting, performing and
providing
employees with appropriate criteria, such as (but not limited to) the
following prior to
commencing tree felling, cutting and other operations (TASKS) with heavy
machines, such as
(but not limited to) Bandit Brush Chipper machine that the employees were
performing the
TASKS safely and appropriately at all times:
1. Conduct onsite job briefings.
2. Provide adequate and appropriate training and information pertaining to
the EQUIPMENT.
3. Properly maintain and service EQUIPMENT as required.
4. Conduct visual observation of employees performing the TASKS.
On or about July 11, 2011, the hood of the cutting wheel of the BANDIT
Brush Chipper
(Machine) flew off the machine while an employee was trying to open the
hood prior to the
cutting wheel coming to a complete stop. The hood struck the face of the
employee, causing
severe facial injuries from the incident.
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. Provide training, information and instructions that specify
step-by-step procedures are
followed by every employee at all times.
3. Conduct visual observation of employee's performance onsite.
4. Utilize other available engineering technologies.
5. Comply with the appropriate section(s) of the following American
National Standard Institute,
ANSI Z133.1-2006, publication.
A) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 5.1.3: Manufacturers' preventive maintenance
inspections and parts
replacement procedures shall be followed.
B) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 5.1.13: Units shall be turned off, keys removed from
the ignition, and
rotating parts at rest prior to making repairs or adjustments, except
where manufacturer's
procedures require otherwise.  Defects or malfunctions affecting the safe
operation of equipment
shall be corrected before such units are placed into use.
C) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 5.3.2: Access panels (for example, guards) for
maintenance and
adjustment, including discharge chute and cutter housing, shall be closed
and secured prior to
starting the engine of brush chippers.  These access panels shall not be
opened
or unsecured until
the engine and all moving parts have come to a complete stop(See Annex C,
General Safety
Procedures That Apply to All Tree Work).
D) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 8.6.5: Training shall be provided in the proper
operation, feeding
starting, and shutdown procedures for the chipper being used.
E) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 8.6.6: Maintenance shall be performed only by those
persons authorized
by the employer and trained to perform such operations.

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Dec 26, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,400 Reduced

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Dec 19, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,700 Reduced

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Dec 26, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,400 Reduced

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Dec 19, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012

Issued

Dec 14, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012