OSHA Inspection: FINE TREE SERVICE

Issued

Feb 20, 2014

Abate by

Mar 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,540 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.180(c)(1)(i): The margin of stability for determination of load ratings, with booms of stipulated lengths at stipulated working radii for the various types of crane mountings, was not established by taking a percentage of the loads which will produce a condition of tipping or balance with the boom in the least stable direction, relative to the mounting. The load ratings exceeded the following percentages for cranes, with the indicated types of mounting under conditions stipulated in paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section.    (a) Fine Tree Service, 1328 Green Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521:  On and before November 7, 2013, Fine Tree Service did not follow the margin of stability for the determination of load ratings, with boom of stipulated lengths at stipulated working radii for the various types of crane mountings. The employer was engaged in the removal of a Siberian Elm tree from a residential location in Fort Collins. During the process of removal, the employer rigged a portion of the tree to the crane while the arborist used a chainsaw to release the tree segment. Once the limb had been cut and it released from the tree, the dynamic nature of the load caused the crane to become unstable, and as a result, the crane tipped over. At the time of the incident the boom angle was 35 feet, the boom length was 122, and the radius was > 98 feet away.   This condition exposed an arborist working within the tree to a struck-by and crushing hazard as a result overloading the crane and it failing while under load.