OSHA Inspection: PATRIOT TREE SERVICE, LLC

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered.   (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee operated a Stihl MS 201TC chainsaw with a 16-inch bar and a Stihl MS 500i chainsaw with a 25-inch bar to cut down and limb trees without wearing cut-resistant leg protection (chaps), exposing the employee to laceration and puncture hazards to the lower extremities.  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, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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).   (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, the employer did not assess the workplace or the tasks performed by employees to determine whether personal protective equipment (PPE), such as cut-resistant leg protection (chaps), was necessary when using chainsaws to fell and delimb trees.  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, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 personal protective equipment.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, the employer did not provide training to employees on the proper use, limitations, inspection or maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the hazardous tasks associated with tree care operations. This included, but is not limited to, eye protection, leg protection, foot protection and fall protection, thereby exposing employees to eye injuries, struck-by hazards, crushing injuries and fall-related hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Jul 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.140(c)(10)(i): The employer did not ensure that fall protection system snaphooks and carabiners are not connected directly to webbing, rope, or wire rope unless they are designed for such connections.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee operating from a CMC 90HD+ Arbor Pro spider lift to delimb and cut down trees was using a personal fall arrest system which included a carabiner clipped directly to a synthetic continuous loop sewn runner or lifting sling, girth-hitched to the boom of the lift. The carabiner was not designed or approved for direct attachment to the lifting sling, exposing the employee to a potential fall of up to 70 feet to the ground.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Jul 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.140(c)(16): The employer did not ensure that personal fall protection systems and their components are used exclusively for employee fall protection and not for any other purpose, such as hoisting equipment or materials.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee was using a CMI sewn runner that was girth-hitched to the anchor point on the boom of an aerial lift and connected at the opposite side to the employee's fall protection system. The sewn runner is labeled and manufactured as a lifting sling and is not designed or certified for fall protection applications, exposing the employee to fall hazards of up to 70 feet.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Jul 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.140(c)(19): The employer did not ensure that ropes, belts, lanyards, and harnesses used for personal fall protection are compatible with all connectors used.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee used a braided lifting strap as part of his personal fall protection system to gain additional extension. The strap was not compatible with the connectors used in the system, exposing the employee to fall hazards of up to 70 feet.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Jul 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.140(c)(18): The employer did not ensure that personal fall protection systems are inspected before initial use during each work shift for mildew, wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components are removed from service.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee used a fall protection system that included a visibly worn, frayed and contaminated energy-absorbing lanyard, along with a CMI sewn runner serving as an anchor connection that showed signs of shedding, embedded debris, discoloration and possible sun damage or deterioration. The fall protection system was not inspected prior to use and remained in active service, exposing the employee to fall hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.30(a)(1): The employer did not provide training for each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or who is required to be trained as specified elsewhere in this subpart before any employee is exposed to a fall hazard. And/or the employer did not ensure employees are trained in the requirements of this paragraph on or before May 17, 2017.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee was performing elevated tree cutting work from an aerial lift using a personal fall arrest system and had not received training on the proper selection, use, inspection or compatibility of fall protection equipment before being exposed to fall hazards of up to approximately 70 feet.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): There was neither an infirmary, clinic, or hospital used for the treatment of all injured employees in near proximity to the workplace nor a person or persons adequately trained to render first.  First aid supplies approved by a consulting physician were not readily available.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, employees operated chainsaws, aerial lifts, wood chippers and other hazardous equipment while performing tree removal, trimming and brush clearing at a remote jobsite without medical services in nearby proximity and were not provided with or have an employee who is trained in first aide on site.     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, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(a): Hand and portable powered tools or equipment were not kept in safe condition.   (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee was using a Stihl MS500i chainsaw with a 25-inch bar to cut down and delimb trees with a broken chain catch, exposing the cutter to struck-by hazards from potential chain derailment or chain breakage.    No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,702 · Current $1,250 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.   (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, the employer did not develop and/or implement a hazard communication program for employees who worked with and around hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to diesel fuel used to power vehicles and equipment, unleaded gasoline for handheld tools, bar oil and 50:1 fuel mixture used in chainsaws. Employees who use, handle and store these substances are exposed to fire hazards, inhalation hazards, dermal exposure risks and other associated health and physical hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.   (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, the employer did not train employees on the hazards of chemicals used and the measures to take to protect themselves when using chemicals, such as diesel fuel used to power vehicles and equipment, unleaded gasoline for handheld tools, bar oil and 50:1 fuel mixture used for chainsaws.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Jul 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.136(a): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.  (a) 132 Whippoorwill Lane: On or about January 30, 2025, an employee was performing tree cutting operations and manually handling heavy tools and materials including chainsaws, tree branches and logs without wearing protective footwear, exposing the employee to foot injuries from falling objects, dropped tools and other struck-by hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.