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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: 1807289.015 - Dodson'S Complete Tree Service
Inspection Information - Office: Va-E-Richmond (Regional Office) - Safety 0355111
Site Address:
Dodson'S Complete Tree Service
1201 Gladstone Glen Place
Midlothian, VA 23114
Mailing Address:
8439 Tall Oak Dr, Culpeper, VA 22701
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 561730/Landscaping Services
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 08/18/2025
Emphasis: N:Fall, S:Fall, S:Treetrim
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 2266038 | ||
| Inspection | 1844326 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Current Violations | 4 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $22,010 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $22,010 |
| Current Penalty | $22,010 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $22,010 |
| 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 | 16VAC25-73-90.A.1.B | 08/18/2025 | $15,875 | $15,875 | $0 | Z - Issued | |||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 16VAC25-73-30.A | 08/18/2025 | 10/03/2025 | $2,045 | $2,045 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 16VAC25-73-40.D.1 | 08/18/2025 | 10/03/2025 | $2,045 | $2,045 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 16VAC25-73-90.E.4 | 08/18/2025 | $2,045 | $2,045 | $0 | Z - Issued | |||
| 5. | 02001 | Other | 16VAC25-73-40.C.2 | 08/18/2025 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Z - Issued |
Investigation Summary
At 3:45 p.m. on February 23, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a laborer for a tree service company and was atop a tree approximately 30 feet from the ground conducting chainsaw cutting operations to remove the top section of the tree. Employee #1 was held in place by spurs, a lanyard wrapped around the tree, and a lifeline attached to another tree. During this operation, the integrity of the wood at the base of the tree become compromised and began to fall. The employee was pulled down with the tree. Mid-fall, the employee grabbed his lifeline which snapped the branch of the tree it was attached to. The falling tree then made contact with the ground with the employee landing on the fallen tree. The employee was fatally injured.
Keywords: Blunt force, Blunt force trauma, Chest, Clearance, Climber, Climbing, Contusion, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Falling Object, Ground, Hazard Assessment, Head, Inspection, Laborer, Lanyard, Lifeline, PPE, PPE Hazard Assessment, Struck Against, Struck By, Training, Tree, Tree Care, Tree Climber, Tree Climbing System, Tree Failure, Tree Felling, Tree Section, Tree Trimming, Unsafe Position, Vegetation, Work Surface
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1807289.015 | 35 | M | Fatality | Laborers, except construction |