OSHA Inspection: OAK SHADE TREE SERVICE, LLC

Issued

2021-06-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13653.00 · Current $8874.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  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 employees were exposed to struck-by hazards:  (a) Jobsite located at 274 Glen Roy Rd, Nottingham PA: On December 22, 2020, during a tree felling operation, an employee was attempting to free a hung-up tree that was bent and under tension when the tree whipped back, striking the employee and pinning him face-down underneath the tree resulting in fatal asphyxiation.   Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of hazard abatement include following the national consensus standard requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z133-2017 for Arboricultural Operations-Safety Requirements:  Section 3.4.3: 'A job briefing shall be performed by the qualified arborist in charge before the start of each job.  The briefing shall be communicated to all affected workers.'    Section 8.61: 'Before any tree removal operation, the chain-saw operator and/or crew leader shall carefully consider all relevant factors pertaining to the tree and site and shall take appropriate actions to ensure a safe removal operation.  Factors to include may be, but are not limited to, tree day, tree lean, and wind (see Annex C3, Manual Tree Felling Procedure, for a more inclusive list).'   Section 8.62: 'The crew leader shall...develop a tree removal work plan, and communicate the work plan and job task assignments in a job briefing with the crew prior to beginning the tree work removal work.'  Annex B, B.2.6: 'Provide education and training in jobsite-specific hazards associated with the job, work procedures, and practices involved. Instruct employees about special precautions, personal protective clothing, and equipment requirements as applicable to employee job assignments.'   Annex C: 'Before performing any work, conduct a site assessment and the following seven steps to determine whether a tree can be manually felled.'  '1. Hazards and Obstacles Identification: Examples of conditions to analyze include, but are not limited to: (a) tree size in relationship to the landing zone; (e) species and shape of tree; (f) lean of tree; (l) size and terrain characteristics or limitations of work area; (w) throwback or bounceback potential; (x) potential for spring poles; (bb) potential for barber chair;'

Issued

2021-06-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4096.00 · Current $2662.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not provided and used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered.   (a) Jobsite located at 274 Glen Roy Rd, Nottingham PA: The employer failed to provide cut-resistant leg protection to employees who were operating a chain saw during tree trimming and removal operations.   Condition noted on or about Dec. 22, 2020.

Issued

2021-06-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1):  The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  a) Jobsite located at 274 Glen Roy Rd, Nottingham PA: The employer failed to perform a jobsite assessment to determine what PPE was needed to protect employees who were performing tree trimming and removal. Employees were exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, noise and amputation hazards while operating a variety of machines throughout the course of their work, including but not limited to a chain saw, chipper, bucket truck and mini skid steer (ditch witch).  Conditions noted on or about Dec. 22, 2020.

Issued

2021-06-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-07-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE. Each such employee was not trained to know at least the following: (i)-(v):  (a) Jobsite located at 274 Glen Roy Rd, Nottingham PA: The employer required the use of PPE, such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and hard hats, but failed to provide PPE training for employees exposed to the hazards of operating a variety of machines while performing tree trimming and removal. Employees were required to use chain saws, a chipper, and a mini skid steer while not being provided training on:  when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE, the limitations of the PPE, and the proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE.   Conditions noted on or about Dec. 22, 2020.