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Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 1552583.015 - Rice Tree Service
Inspection Information - Office: Vt Department Of Labor - Vosha
Site Address:
Rice Tree Service
17 William Street
Bellows Falls, VT 05101
Mailing Address:
P O Box 234, Westminster, VT 05158
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 561730/Landscaping Services
Inspection Type: Referral
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 01/03/2022
Emphasis: S:Fall
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 1810138 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $3,686 | $0 | $0 | $296 | $0 | $3,982 |
| Current Penalty | $3,686 | $0 | $0 | $296 | $0 | $3,982 |
| 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 | Serious | VT STATUE TITLE 21; CHAPTER 3; SU | 01/14/2022 | $3,686 | $3,686 | $0 | Z - Issued | |||
| 2. | 02001 | Other | 19040039 A02 | 01/14/2022 | 02/04/2022 | $296 | $296 | $0 | Z - Issued |
Investigation Summary
At 10:00 a.m. on September 9, 2021, an employee working as a forestry worker for a tree service was tying off his climbing rope and safety line to a tree. The employee was climbing the tree and removing branches so he could fell the tree. The employee was standing on a large approximately 12-inch diameter branch securing his line to the same branch. As the employee cut the branch above his climbing rope and safety line, the branch sheared off grabbing his rope and harness and dragged the employee out of the tree. The employee was hospitalized to treat a broken femur.
Keywords: Broken, Broken Bone, Caught By, Climber, Climbing, Dragged, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Fall Protection, Femur, Fracture, Harness, Lack of Work Procedures, Leg, Lifeline, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Rope, Sheared, Struck By, Tree, Tree Branch, Tree Climber, Tree Climbing System, Tree Felling, Tree Limb, Tree Shear, Unsafe Position
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1552583.015 | 45 | M | Hospitalized injury | Forestry workers, except logging |