Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1208119.015 - Wards Tree Service

Inspection Information - Office: Va-E-Norfolk (Regional Office) - Safety 0355112

Investigation Summary

At approximately 12:18 p.m. on February 3, 2017, an employee was exposing tree root balls prior to pushing over standing tree trunks. The employee exposed root ball of a standing 87 foot tall pine tree trunk and attempted to push the trunk over with a Deere 50D mini excavator without success. He abandoned effort and moved to another tree. Coworkers saw the original tree trunk start to lean and fall towards the employee and yelled to him to clear out. The employee backed his Deere 50D away from the tree but ultimately left the ROP protected operator's position and was struck down by the tree directly outside of the Deere 50D. The employee suffered from crushed chest, crushed abdomen, broken leg and broken arm. The employee was killed.

Keywords: Abdomen, Arm, Chest, Crushed, Excavator, Falling Object, Fracture, Leg, Struck By, Tree