OSHA Inspection: W.W. LANDSCAPING, INC.

Issued

Oct 2, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,575 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of North Carolina:  The
employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment
and a place of employment free from
recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious
physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed to a struck by hazard due to lack of training.
a)Maccripine Country Club (16th Hole):  where an untrained employee used
an Echo (Model
CS680, 24", UL 8761, 66.8CC) chainsaw to fell an approximately (98 ft., 21
in. diameter)
storm damaged pine tree with unsafe felling procedures, which caused the
tree to fall onto the
employee, resulting in the employee's death.
Reference:ANSI Z133.1-2006 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural
Operations:  Section 8.5
Tree Removal - (8.5.1) 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
following factors should be considered:  a)the area surrounding the tree
to be removed, including nearby trees;
b)species and shape of the tree;
c)lean of the tree;
d)loose limbs, chunks, or other overhead material;
e)wind force and direction;
f)decayed or weak spots throughout the tree (be aware of additional
hazards if these conditions exist in the hinge area);
g)location and means to protect other persons, property, and electrical
conductors;
h)size and terrain characteristics or limitations of the work area; and
i)evidence of bees or wildlife habitation in the tree.

Issued

Oct 2, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,575 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of North Carolina:  The
employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment
and a place of employment free from
recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious
physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed to a struck by hazard.
a)Maccripine Country Club (16th Hole):  where two employees used Echo
(Model
CS680, 24",
UL 8761, 66.8CC & Model CS440, , 18", UL 8761) chainsaws to cut up a storm
damaged pine
tree without proper notching techniques and planned escaped route.
Reference:ANSI Z133.1-2006 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural
Operations:  Section 3
General Safety Requirements - (3.1.2) Employers shall instruct their
employees in the
proper use, inspection, and maintenance of tools and equipment, including
ropes and
lines, and shall require appropriate working practices be followed.
ANSI Z133.1-2006 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations:
Section 8.5
Tree Removal
(8.5.4) - A planned escape route for all workers shall be prepared before
cutting any
standing tree or trunk.  The preferred escape route is 45 degrees on
either side of a line
drawn opposite the intended direction of the fall.  Obstructions shall be
cleared along
the escape path.  The chain-saw operator shall use this path for egress
once the cut has
been completed.
(8.5.15.1) - The notch cut used shall be a conventional notch, an
open-face notch, or a
Humboldt notch.
(8.5.15.2) - Notches shall be 45 degress or greater and large enough to
guide the fall of
the tree or trunk to prevent splitting.
(8.5.15.3) - Notch depth should not exceed one-third the diameter of the
tree.
(8.5.15.4) - The back cut shall not penetrate into the predetermined hinge
area.
(8.5.16) - With a conventional notch or Humboldt notch, the back cut shall
be 1 to 2
inches above the apex of the notch to provide an adequate platform to
prevent kick-back
of the tree or trunk.
(8.15.19) - When the back cut has been completed, the chain-saw operator
shall
immediately move a safe distance away from the tree or trunk using the
planned escape
route.

Issued

Oct 2, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $1,050 Reduced

Issued

Oct 2, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $1,050 Reduced

Issued

Oct 2, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Oct 2, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $1,050 Reduced