Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310745989 - Riverland Hedging & Topping

Inspection Information - Office: Tampa Area Office

Inspection Nr: 310745989

Report ID: 0420600

Date Opened: 04/02/2007

Site Address:
Riverland Hedging & Topping
9200 N.E. 12th Drive, Ruby Red Grapefruit 3 (Block
Okeechobee, FL 34972

Mailing Address:
7300 4th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32966

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:0174

NAICS: 111320/Citrus (except Orange) Groves

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Complete

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 04/02/2007

Emphasis: S:Electrical

Case Closed: 01/12/2010

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	102456142

Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties	Serious	Willful	Repeat	Other	Unclass	Total
Initial Violations	1			1		2
Current Violations	1			1		2
Initial Penalty	$4,900	$0	$0	$1,500	$0	$6,400
Current Penalty	$4,500	$0	$0	$500	$0	$5,000
FTA Penalty	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

Violation Items
#	Citation ID	Citaton Type	Standard Cited	Issuance Date	Abatement Due Date	Current Penalty	Initial Penalty	FTA Penalty	Contest	Latest Event	Note
1.	01001	Serious	5A0001	09/24/2007	10/27/2007	$4,500	$4,900	$0		I - Informal Settlement
2.	02001	Other	19040039 A	09/24/2007	09/27/2007	$500	$1,500	$0		I - Informal Settlement

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 202461976

Event: 03/31/2007

Employee Is Killed from Electric Shock

On March 31, 2007, Employee #1 was cutting the tops of citrus trees (also known as topping) in a 40 acre section of a farm that specialized in raising of cattle, maintaining a citrus ranch, and growing produce. The equipment used to cut the trees consisted of a cutting mechanism mounted to a pull behind trailer that was attached to a tractor. This cutting equipment was manufactured by the John Bran Division of FMC Corporation, Model Number 330. As Employee #1 was pulling the cutting equipment behind his tractor, the cutting mechanism cut through the top of an electrical power pole that was located approximately 4 to 5 feet below their electrical lines. The top of the pole fell and one of the electrical lines became entangled with the cutting mechanism. Employee #1 stopped the tractor and began to exit the cab; however, in doing so, he inadvertently contacted a cut electrical line. This contact completed the circuit and caused Employee #1 to become electrocuted. Employee #1 was discovered dead by his father. Emergency services were contacted, as well as the power company.

Keywords: ELECTRIC CABLE, FARM MACHINERY, ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR, ELECTRIC SHOCK, UTILITY POLE, TREE TRIMMING, WORK SURFACE, INATTENTION

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	310745989			Fatality	Electric Shock	Occupation not reported

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