OSHA Inspection: WHITLEDGE TREE SERVICE, LLC

Issued

Jan 10, 2014

Abate by

Jan 16, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

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 exposed to struck by  hazards during tree removal operations.           On or about July 20, 2013, at a residence located at 1227 Chestnut Street in Mt. Carmel, Illinois an employee was fatality injured as a result of being struck by falling limbs during tree trimming operations performed on a damaged tree. The relevant factors pertaining to the tree pruning operation were not considered nor communicated sufficiently to employees regarding a safe work plan.  Among other means, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard would be to follow American National Standard, ANSI Z133 - 2012, For Arboricultural Operations  Safety Requirements, Section 8 Work Procedures as applicable.

Issued

Jan 10, 2014

Abate by

Jan 16, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.135(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee wear a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects:         On or about July 20, 2013, employees were exposed to struck by hazards while removing branches and limbs of felling trees.  The employer did not have the employees use safety protective hard hats while conducting ground person work.

Issued

Jan 10, 2014

Abate by

Jan 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:        On or about July 20, 2013, employees were exposed to struck by hazards while removing branches and limbs of felling trees.  The employer did not have a written certification that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed.

Issued

Jan 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a): The employer did not orally report the death of an employee or the in-patient hospitalization of three or more employees because of a work-related incident        On or about July 23, 2013, the employer had failed to orally report an employment death which resulted from a work related incident on July 20, 2013.