Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309388999 - Jason L. Brown Grading

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Charlotte

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:28 a.m. on September 9, 2005, Employee #1 and a coworker were clearing trees, shrubs and debris from a residential lot. Employee #1 was operating a Caterpillar Hydraulic Excavator with a bucket and grapple attachment installed, Model Number 312, while a coworker operated a chainsaw. The trees to be removed were marked with a red/orange ribbon tied around their trunks. The removal procedure involved Employee #1 using the bucket of the excavator to dig up the roots of the trees and then push them over. Employee #2 would then use the chainsaw to delimb and cut up the felled trees. As Employee #1 was attempting to remove a hickory tree that measured 144-feet tall and 24 inches in diameter, the tree fell on top of the excavator. The excavator's cab was crushed, killing Employee #1.

Keywords: TREE FELLING, TREE LIMB, EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, CRUSHED, EXCAVATOR, FALLING OBJECT