OSHA Inspection: ADAMS CONSTRUCTION CO.

Issued

Feb 11, 2022

Abate by

Mar 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $7,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.266(d)(6)(ii)  Work areas shall be assigned so that trees cannot fall into an adjacent occupied work area. The distance between adjacent occupied work areas shall be at least two tree lengths of the trees being felled. The distance between adjacent occupied work areas shall reflect the degree of slope, the density of the growth, the height of the trees, the soil structure and other hazards reasonably anticipated at that work site. A distance of greater than two tree lengths shall be maintained between adjacent occupied work areas on any slope where rolling or sliding of trees or logs is reasonably foreseeable.  Or in the alternative;  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 working near tree removal activities were exposed to struck-by hazards.  The employer is failing to protect employees from struck-by hazards associated with personnel working within the drop zone of tree felling operations. This was most recently documented on November 17, 2021 at the jobsite located 2 miles South of Hwy 136 on N89 in Orleans, Nebraska where the employer had employees working, within the drop zone, as a tree was being cut down.  Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard includes, but are not limited to the following:  i. Incorporate the Safety Requirements for manual tree removal set forth in ANSI Z133-2017 for Arboricultural Operations.  ii. Develop and implement work procedures for tree removal following ANSI Z133-2017 for Arboricultural Operations.  iii. Develop and implement work procedures for designating and visibly marking the drop zone (landing zone) for protecting ground workers from dropping or lowering trunks and branches.  iv. Develop and implement training for personnel on struck-by hazards associated with tree removal and ground work safety near the drop zone (landing zone).  v.  Incorporate a check on the Site Safety Inspection check list and the Company Safety Manual that addresses the coordination between contractors on the job site.