OSHA Inspection: ASPLUNDH TREE EXPERT COMPANY

Issued

Apr 18, 2017

Abate by

Apr 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $8,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.959(a)(2): Inspection before use.  The critical safety components of mechanical elevating and rotating equipment shall receive a thorough visual inspection before use on each shift.    a) Jobsite: Along Fishing Creek Road, new Cumberland, Pennsylvania - On October 26, 2016, the employer failed to inspect the outriggers to confirm that they were properly set on a truck mounted aerial lift.      ________________As Originally cited___________________________      29 CFR 1910.269(p)(2)(i): Mobile equipment provided with outriggers was not operated with the outriggers extended and firmly set:    (a) Along Fishing Creek Road, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania - Employees did line-clearance tree trimming from truck mounted aerial devices, and the employer did not ensure that employees had the outriggers on this mobile equipment firmly set when used off the paved roadway and on a slope.  On or about October 26, 2016, an employee did line-clearance tree trimming from the Altec LRV60-E70 aerial device, serial number 0612CV11819, mounted on the Ford F750 chassis, vehicle identification number 3FRPF7FC9BV116415, (Fleet Unit Number 865-1898), with the unit set up on a grassy, sloped area alongside the road, with outriggers extended and on wooden outrigger pads.  While the employee elevated the boom to about 50 to 60 feet above the ground over the unit's passenger side (the downhill side), the outrigger on the passenger side slid off the outrigger pad and sunk into the ground causing this piece of mobile equipment to tip over onto its passenger side.  The employee, tied into the platform (bucket), fell with the unit, resulting in the employee's hospitalization.    Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.