OSHA Inspection: CAPITAL CITY TREE CARE INC.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3978.00 · Current $1487.00 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 an employee was exposed to a struck-by hazard by a falling tree while in the process of tree felling operations:  The employer is failing to protect employees from struck-by hazards.   This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas where an employee was fatally injured caused by improper felling of a tree.  The employer had not provided employees with training on procedures to recognize and prevent safety and health hazards associated with tree removal work.    Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of hazard abatement include:  Ensure compliance with ANSI Z-133 for Arboricultural Operations Safety Requirements, Section 8.5 regarding tree removal.   Provide education and training to ensure the appropriate cutting techniques and precautions are followed.  in the identification and removal of hazard trees and limbs.  Provide education and training on tree leans, knots and ropes, rigging techniques, tree strength, weight characteristics, electrical hazards, and etc.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2842.00 · Current $1062.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(ii):  Only trained persons shall operate an aerial lift:  (a) The employer is failing to protect employees from the hazards such as but not limited to tip-overs, electrical shock, falls from elevated levels, emergency operations, and entanglement associated with tree trimming activities.  This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  Employee(s) working from the bucket of an aerial lift truck approximately 20 feet from ground were not provided training on how to safely operate the Altech aerial lift equipment.  (b) The employer is failing to protect employees from the hazards such as but not limited to falls from elevated levels on the GM bucket truck.  This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  Employee(s) using a damaged fixed stairway to access the bucket of the Altec aerial lift equipment were not provided training to conduct daily safety inspections of the Altec aerial lift prior to starting work.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2842.00 · Current $1062.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(3): Electrical tests had not been made in conformance with the requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969, Section 5:  The employer is failing to protect employees from electrical shock hazards.   This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  Employee(s) engaged in tree removal work near residential service drop lines and overhead power lines were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employer had not performed periodic dielectric testing on the following equipment:  (a) Altec aerial lift insulated boom  (b) Altec aerial lift insulated bucket liner

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $638.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):  The employer is failing to protect employees from impact/noise exposure hazards.   This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  The employer had not developed and implemented a written personal protective equipment hazard assessment to determine the appropriate personal protective equipment for employees engaged in tree removal work operating equipment such as chainsaws and chippers.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $638.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4): The employer did not assure that portable fire extinguishers  were maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated areas at all times except during use:  The employer is failing to protect employees from burn hazards.   This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  The employer had not provided a fire extinguisher that was functional for employees engaged in fueling equipment such as chain saws.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $638.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.  The employer is failing to protect employees from burn hazards.  This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  The employer had not provided fire extinguisher training for employees engaged in fueling equipment such as chain saws.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2842.00 · Current $1062.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(2): Employees, who were not qualified persons, were not trained in and familiar with any electrically related safety practices not specifically addressed by 29 CFR 1910.331 through 29 CFR 1910.335, but which were necessary for their safety:    The employer is failing to protect employees from electrical shock hazards while performing tree trimming activities.  This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  Employee(s) engaged in tree removal work approximately 1 foot from the energized residential service drop line to the residence were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employer had not provided electrical safety work practices training to all tree removal employees.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $638.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  The employer is failing to protect employees from chemical hazards.   This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  Employees engaged in tree removal work were exposed to skin irritation / carcinogen hazards in that the employer had not developed and implemented a hazard communication program to inform employees of the hazards associated with the chemicals with which they work.  Hazardous chemicals included but were not limited to gasoline, gasoline/oil mix, and hydraulic fluid.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $638.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):   The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s):   The employer is failing to protect employees from chemical hazards.   This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas.  Employees engaged in tree removal work were exposed to skin irritation / carcinogen hazards in that the employer did not ensure that safety data sheets were readily accessible to employees.  Hazardous chemicals being used or available for use included but were not limited to gasoline, gasoline/oil mix, and hydraulic fluid.

Issued

2019-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $637.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  The employer is failing to protect employees from chemical hazards.   This was most recently documented on June 20, 2019 at the jobsite located at 3738 NW Humphrey Road, Silver Lake, Kansas, Kansas.  Employees engaged in tree removal work were exposed to skin irritation / carcinogen hazards in that the employer did not provide hazard communication training to inform employees of the hazards associated with the chemicals with which they work.  Hazardous chemicals being used or available for use included but were not limited to gasoline, gasoline / oil mix, and hydraulic fluid.