OSHA Inspection: GREEN LEAF TREE SERVICE

Issued

Apr 14, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

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 employee was exposed to caught-in hazards.  On or about October 26, 2013 at 14-16 Maria Court, Holbrook NY 11741:  An employee had his right foot amputated when feeding cut branches into a Bandit Wood Chipper (Model #SPIII3P / Serial # IJ0073). The employer failed to develop and/or implement adequate measures to protect employees from caught-in hazards in the workplace.  NOTE: IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.  Feasible methods of abatement include:  1) Before operating manual, you must have all potential operators; read and understand manuals and decals, watch the video and follow recommendations. (Operator's Manual - page 7)  2) There should be at least two qualified and trained operators at the work site. (Operator's Manual - page 7)  3) Follow the Daily Start up and Maintenance  which include to check all safety equipment for proper operation and to check all guards. (Operator's Manual - page 37)  4) Provide employees with the work procedures for Brush Removal and Chipping recommended by the American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations Safety Requirements (ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 8.6) which include:  a) Only persons trained in the safe chipper operation may operate chippers. Training shall include, but is not limited to, inspection, starting, stopping, feeding, and shutdown. Training shall be provided for each type of chipper being used. (ANSI Z 133 -2012 - Section 8.6.5)  b)  Brush and logs shall be fed into the chippers from the side of the feed table center line, butt or cut end first, and the operator shall immediately turn away from the feed table when the brush is taken into the rotor or feed rollers.  Chippers should be fed from the curbside whenever practical. (ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 8.6.7)  c) Small branches shall be fed into chippers with long branches or by being pushed with a long sick or tool designed for such use to prevent body parts from entering the infeed hopper. (ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 8.6.11)  d) Hands or other parts of the body shall not be placed into the infeed hopper. Leaning into or pushing material into infeed hoppers with feet is prohibited.(ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 8.6.12)  5) Provide employees with the work procedures for safe use of vehicles and mobile equipment used in arboriculture by the American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations Safety Requirements (ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 5) which include:  a) Units shall be equipped and maintained with manufacturers' safety devices, instructions, decals, and safeguards. Arborists and other workers shall follow instructions provided by manufacturers. (ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 5.1.2)  b) Units shall be operated and maintained only by authorized and qualified personnel in accordance with the manufacturers' safe operating procedures, company policies, and federal, state, and local laws. (ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 5.1.5)  c) Arborists, mechanics, and other workers shall not, under any circumstances, reach into the infeed hopper when the cutter disc, rotary drum, or feed rollers are moving. (ANSI Z 133 - 2012 - Section 5.3.7)       BATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.