OSHA Inspection: WESLYNN SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR INC

Issued

Feb 4, 2013

Abate by

Oct 4, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

HAR 12-60-2(a)(3) was violated because:
A tree trimmer who was working under the employer's direct supervision
fell 50-60 feet and
sustained fatal injuries.  Following evidence indicates that the employer
did not fulfill his
responsibility to provide safe work places and practices by elimination or
reduction of existing
or potential hazards:
1. No job briefing was conducted as required by ANSI Z133.1-2006, 3.1.4.
2. The victim was not secured as required by ANSI Z133.1-2006, 8.1.19.
3. Tails of two of three fisherman's loop knots were less than 1/2 inch
long, which was
significantly shorter than that recommended by industry guidelines.
HAR 12-60-2(a)(3) states "Every employer shall provide safe work places
and practices by
elimination or reduction of existing or potential hazards.  Elimination of
existing or potential
hazards by design, process substitution, or other appropriate methods is
preferred
because it
eliminates the need for further employee protection.  When elimination is
not feasible, reduction
of existing or potential hazards to acceptable levels, using methods such
as engineering or
administrative controls, isolation, or guarding, shall be promptly used.
When these methods are
inadequately reach acceptable levels, personal protective equipment shall
be provided and use."
Location: Job site at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Area
by the Super Pool)
References
1. ANSI Z133.1-2006, 3.1.4 states "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."
2. ANSI Z133.1-2006, 8.1.19 states "The arborist shall be secured while
ascending the tree.
The arborist shall be tied in once the work begins and shall be tied in
until the work is
completed and he or she has returned to the ground.  The arborist shall be
secured when
repositioning the climbing line."
3. According to industry expert arborists, recommended tail lengths very
from 2 to 6 inches long
or 5 to 10 times the rope diameter.