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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 125535195 - Mathew Goddard Dba Matt'S Tree Service
Inspection Information - Office: American Canyon District Office
Site Address:
Mathew Goddard Dba Matt'S Tree Service
12170 Hwy 166 N
Forestville, CA 95436
Mailing Address:
1635 Furlong Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:0783
NAICS: 561730/Landscaping Services
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 09/25/2006
Planning Guide: Safety-Construction
Emphasis: S:Agriculture (Aship)
Case Closed: 09/13/2019
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101021129 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,130 | $0 | $5,130 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,130 | $0 | $5,130 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 342 A | 09/28/2006 | 10/03/2006 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | J - ALJ Decision | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 3421 A | 09/28/2006 | 10/03/2006 | $130 | $130 | $0 | J - ALJ Decision |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 10:21 a.m. on April 21, 2006, Employee #1, an experienced tree trimmer, was climbing a 200-foot tall redwood tree in Forestville, CA, a remote area of Sonoma County. The owner observed Employee #1 begin his ascent using tree spikes, harness, 2 lanyards, climbing rope and a small gas chain saw. The owner observed Employee #1 using proper climbing technique to scale the tree. The owner and another worker were cleaning up cut limbs and slash 20 to 30 feet from the tree's base when the owner heard some branch and leaf noise and a thud. They found Employee #1 on the ground near the base of the tree with his climbing gear attached. The owner removed Employee #1's harness and CPR was administered with no success as there appeared to be extensive chest damage. Employee #1 was transported in the owner's truck to the nearest hospital, Palm Drive in Sebastopol, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. (Note: the accident area does not allow cell phone use) It appears Employee #1 fell while trying to climb above the first and second limb of the redwood tree at the height of approximately 75 to 90 feet above the ground. Normal practice requires using the lowest lanyard below the limb then the second lanyard above the limb while boot spikes are set in the bark. Then the bottom lanyard may be loosened. Since the spikes were long and sharp and both lanyards came down with Employee #1 and there are no surviving witnesses of the last moments, speculation suggests several scenarios but no absolute cause for the employee's fall. (Note: Equipment failure has been eliminated.)
Keywords: TREE PRUNER, CPR, TORSO, TREE, LANYARD, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, TREE TRIMMING, WORK SURFACE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 125535195 | Fatality | Other | Groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm |