Inspection Detail

Inspection: 103543476 - Hollinger Tree Service

Inspection Information - Office: Cleveland Area Office

Investigation Summary

On July 15, 1997, a clear and dry day, Employee #1, the owner of Hollinger Tree Service, was clearing dense weeds, brush, and dead trees from a wooded lot. He was using a model 863 Bobcat (skid steer loader), serial #514412105, that was equipped with a grapple adapter atop the skid bucket. Some of the dead trees in the lot were standing and some had fallen. Employee #1 was apparently moving a brush pile when he ran into a dead limb that struck him on his left side, breaking a rib that then punctured his heart. Approximately 15 minutes later, Employee #1 was found in the Bobcat. Emergency personnel were called and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Keywords: HEART, FRACTURE, TREE LIMB, EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, RIB, SKIDDER, STRUCK BY, TREE TRIMMING, PUNCTURE