Inspection Detail

Inspection: 126174614 - Lausd

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on October 5, 1998, Employee #1, a tree trimming helper, died of an apparent heart attack while sweeping debris from a palm-trimming operation. At approximately 6:50 p.m., the Division was notified of the fatality by the employer's safety personnel. An investigation was initiated during the morning of October 6, 1998. The maintenance department within the school district employs tree surgeons and helpers, under the supervision of a senior tree surgeon, to perform maintenance on trees, shrubs, and vines. On the day of the incident, a crew of two surgeons and a helper, who is not allowed to climb, were trimming palm trees within a controlled-accessed driveway at an elementary school. Both tree surgeons had already left for the day, when Employee #1 was still sweeping leaves and debris. A school teacher, later joined by the plant manager, found the body of Employee #1 lying beside a palm tree on the sidewalk. There was no evidence of external bleeding. The school computer coordinator administered cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Employee #1's body was transported to St. Francis Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead of cardiopulmonary arrest. The investigation determined that the cause of death was not work-related. His employer failed to address deficiencies related to the safety requirements for the tree-trimming program.

Keywords: CPR, HEART ATTACK, TREE, TREE TRIMMING