OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN ARBOR CARE, INC.

Issued

May 5, 2011

Abate by

May 20, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  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 struck by hazards:         a)  American Arbor Care, Inc. at 1100 South Vine Street. Denver, CO 80210:  On or before March 28, 2011, the employer did not ensure that employees working in a residential street to trim a tree were protected from being struck by moving vehicles.  The employer did not provide advanced warning signs in any direction, did not move the traffic away from the work zone through the use of tapers and barricades, and did not provide or require the use of reflective vests.  Employees were not trained in work zone safety.  Condition exposed employees to the hazard of being struck by moving vehicles.     Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods include:  1)  The use of advanced warning signs in accordance with Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Millennium Edition, December 2000, Sections 6B.01, 6C.03, and 6C.04;  2)  the use of barricades in accordance with the MUTCD Part VI Sections 6C.08 and 6F.55;  and 3)  the use of reflective vests in accordance with the 2004 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 107.  It is noted that ANSI Z133.1-2000, "Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush - Safety Requirements," references the MUTCD in Section 4.4.    Abatement note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter.")

Issued

May 5, 2011

Abate by

May 20, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  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)  American Arbor Care, Inc. at 1100 South Vine Street. Denver, CO 80210:  On or before March 28, 2011, the employer did not ensure that an employee operating a Terex Hi-Ranger Telelect XT 60, Unit #198, SN 2040424398, elevated bucket at approximately 22 feet high, was protected from falling through the use of an effective fall restraint system:              1)  The employee was connected to the bucket through the use of a job-made lanyard that included a 5 foot long synthetic rope hand-tied to double locking hooks on each end.  The lanyard was connected to an anchorage point set 6 inches outside the bucket, and 6" from the top of the bucket.  The bucket was 2'4" wide and long, and 3' deep.  The 5 foot long lanyard would not restrain or keep the employee within the bucket.  In addition, the lanyard was not tested to ensure that it would hold the dynamic load placed on it;              2)  The body belt did not include thigh straps that would support an employee in case the bucket bounced, and the body belt included no manufacturer's identification to determine what specifications the belt conformed to.  The combination of a singular leather belt across the abdomin, along with a 5' long lanyard, had the potential to cause permanent injury to the employee if the bucket bounced and the employee was thrown outside the bucket; and              3)  The employees were not adequately trained in fall protection.       Condition exposed employees to fall hazards of approximately 22 feet from the bucket to the ground.     Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods include:  1)  The use of lanyard that meets the specifications of ANSI Z359.3-2007 Section 3.4, which provides, "Knots shall not be used to form lanyard end terminations."  Section 4.2.2 provides that the lanyards are to be tested with a force of 5,000 pounds.  Section 5.1. and 5.2 provide requirements for marking the lanyard with the part number and model, year of manufacture, capacity, materials of construction, and length;  2)  ANSI Z359.3-2007 Section 3.6 provides that a positioning harness shall provide support for the body around the abdomin and around the thighs when a tensile load is applied to the work positioning attachment elements.  (It is noted that although body belts are allowed when tree-trimming from an aerial lift, OSHA recommend the use of a full body harness that meets the requirements of ANSI Z359.1 - 2007;)  3)  ANSI Z133.1 dated 2000 Section 4.1 provides that a job briefing shall be performed by a qualified arborist in charge before the start of each job.  Section 3.14 defines a job briefing to include the communication of the hazards of the job, the work procedures involved, special precautions, electrical hazards, job assignments, and personal protective equiipment.    Abatement note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter.")