Abstract: At approximately 3:55 p.m. on April 1, 2011, Employee #1, a tree trimmer, and three coworkers were trimming trees at an apartment complex. Employee #1 was descending from a pine tree wearing a fall protection harness equipped with a climbing line and flip line. Employee #1 was connected by only his flip line to a downward slopping branch when he recrotched his climbing line to a lower part of the tree. For some reason, Employee #1's feet slipped, causing the flip line's tension to lessen and slip down and off the branch. Employee #1 fell approximately 15 ft landing on his feet. Employee #1 reported the fall to his employer but declined medical treatment. The next day, Employee #1 obtained medical care and was diagnosed with broken vertebras. Employee #1 underwent back surgery and was hospitalized.