Inspection Detail

Inspection: 303332902 - Stacks Tree And Stump Service, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

At 9:00 a.m. on April 1, 2000, Employee #1 and a coworker arrived at the site of a tree trimming job in Raleigh, NC. The task was explained by the president of Stacks Tree and Stump Service, Inc., who left the site at about 9:20 a.m. Within approximately 10 minutes, Employee #1 had ascended a tree and removed several branches. He was working on a branch above his head that apparently broke before it was completely cut. The remaining fibers of the limb caused it to swing back at Employee #1. He was moving to dodge the branch when the still-running chain saw cut his rope and he fell 50 ft onto the grassy lawn. The local rescue squad responded within 10 minutes and immediately transported Employee #1 to the hospital, but he died en route. All the equipment and PPE was provided by Employee #1, including a dump chipper, a grinder, and a chain saw.

Keywords: PORTABLE POWER TOOL, TREE LIMB, PPE, CHAIN SAW, WORK RULES, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, TREE TRIMMING