Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1328746.015 - Dad'S Tree Service , Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Utah Division Of Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

At 2:30 p.m. on July 3, 2018, an employee was working for a tree service. He was part of a three-man crew that was contracted to remove a tree in the backyard of a residence. They had started work at approximately 10:00 a.m. and took about 30 minutes to set up the site. The companys owner/foreman, who was part of the crew, supervised the operation that consisted of the employee in the tree and the coworker on the ground. At approximately 10:30 a.m., the employee climbed the tree to its first limb, securing his harness around the limb. As he cut the lower limbs, the employee proceeded up the tree, moving his tie off points further up. He initially let the limbs fall, but once he got higher up, used a rope that was tied around the tree to lower them to the ground. This was a common practice of the company when tree removal was conducted in tight areas and when there was a concern of damaging property. Work continued until 12:15 p.m. at which point the crew took a lunch break. Approximately one hour later, the three-man crew returned to work. The owner/foreman took a phone call in the front yard, while the employee was climbing the tree. Soon after, the employee fell from the tree and was knocked unconscious. The coworker observed the fall and immediately notified the owner/foreman of the incident. Emergency services were called and, upon arrival, the employee regained consciousness; however, refused transport by emergency services to the hospital. He did agree for his coworker to drive him. On the way to the hospital, about three quarters of the way, the employee lost consciousness. He was admitted to the emergency room for treatment. A short time later the employee died as a result of suffering internal injuries that included a punctured lung or lung collapse.

Keywords: Emergency Response, Fall, Lung, Puncture, Tree, Tree Limb, Tree Trimming