Inspection Detail

Inspection: 2569986 - Lower Sondran Desert Palm Tree Service

Inspection Information - Office: Arizona Division Of Occupational Safety And Health (Adosh)

Investigation Summary

ON NOVEMBER 23, 1985 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 AM, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PRUNING AND TRIMMING A PALM TREE. HE WAS AT AN ELEVATION OF APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET, USING A SAFETY BELT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE TREE, AND HE HAD CLIMBING SPIKES ON HIS SHOES. HE WAS UNDER A BUNCH OF ROTTED AND DRIED-UP PALM FRONDS THAT WERE NOT WELL SECURED TO THE TREE. APPARENTLY, HIS ACTIVITY AROUND THESE FRONDS CAUSED SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS OF FRONDS TO COLLAPSE AROUND HIM AND PIN HIM IN A BACKWARD POSITION TO THE TREE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FREED HIM IN ABOUT 22 MINUTES AND TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER. AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM EMPLOYEE #1 DIED OF CARDIAC ARREST, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT.

Keywords: COLLAPSE, PALM TREE, PINNED, SAFETY BELT, CARDIAC ARREST, TREE TRIMMING