Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300812476 - Julian Rodriguez Tree Service & Landscaping

Inspection Information - Office: Labor Enforcement Task Force (Letf) Unit - South

Investigation Summary

At approximately 12:25 p.m. on February 14, 2002, Employee #1, a two-year employee of Julian Rodriguez Tree Trimming and Landscaping, Ventura, CA, was working alone in a tree, using a 9 ft 8 in. pruning saw with an aluminum and wood handle. Three other employees were on-site, heard Employee #1 scream, and observed the pruning saw drop to the ground. Employee #1 was unresponsive in the tree. A coworker carried Employee #1 to the ground. Emergency medical services were called, responded, and transported Employee #1 to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 1:44 p.m. In the investigation, the employer stated that he did not notice the overhead 16,000-volt electric line. He did not discuss the hazard of the overhead 16,000 kilovolt electric line with his employees. Four citations were issued, namely, (1) alleged violations of Title 8; Section 3421(a) and 3421(j) for failure to have an IIPP and failure to train employees in first aid and CPR, (2) alleged violation of 3423(a) for failure to instruct employees regarding electrical hazards, (3) alleged violation of 3423(b) for failure to inspect the workplace and conduct a tailgate safety briefing prior to the start of work and allowing the employee, employee's tool, or tree branch to come within 2 ft 1 in. of the 16,000-volt line, and (4) alleged violation of 3426(b)(1) for having a pruning tool with a conductive aluminum metal handle.

Keywords: ELECTROCUTED, SAW, INEXPERIENCE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, UNTRAINED, TREE TRIMMING, INATTENTION