Translate
Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 312332489 - Dodson'S Tree Service
Inspection Information - Office: Va-E-Manassas (Regional Office)- Safety 0355114
Site Address:
Dodson'S Tree Service
1542 North Jefferson St.
Arlington, VA 22205
Mailing Address:
182 Sawmill Rd, Haywood, VA 22722
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:0783
NAICS: 561730/Landscaping Services
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 10/27/2008
Planning Guide: Safety-Manufacturing
Emphasis: L:Fri, L:Ohpwrlne
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100921824 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Current Violations | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $7,900 | $70,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $77,900 |
| Current Penalty | $7,900 | $70,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $77,900 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | ELEC0410 A | 10/27/2008 | 10/30/2008 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $0 | 11/05/2008 | 1 - State Lower Court | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100151 B | 10/27/2008 | 12/14/2008 | $450 | $450 | $0 | 11/05/2008 | 1 - State Lower Court | |
| 3. | 01003A | Serious | 19101200 E01 | 10/27/2008 | 11/29/2008 | $450 | $450 | $0 | 11/05/2008 | 1 - State Lower Court | |
| 4. | 01003B | Serious | 19101200 G01 | 10/27/2008 | 11/29/2008 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/2008 | L - State Settlement | |
| 5. | 01003C | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 10/27/2008 | 11/29/2008 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/2008 | 1 - State Lower Court | |
| 6. | 02001 | Willful | ELEC040801 | 10/27/2008 | 11/04/2008 | $70,000 | $70,000 | $0 | 11/05/2008 | 1 - State Lower Court |
Investigation Summary
On August 13, 2008, an employee was working as a laborer for Dobson's Tree Service in Arlington, Virginia. He was not a regular employee of the company. Instead, he was called upon by the company owners whenever the company needed a tree climber. This happened a few days a month. The employee was trimming a tree. He was using an Echo CS-360T chainsaw with a 356-millimeter (14-inch) bar. The branch he was working on was approximately 3.1 meters (10 feet, 3 inches) long and 13 millimeters (0.5 inches) in diameter. The trunk of the tree was approximately 2.4 meters (8 feet) from an overhead power line. At least one conductor ran right through the tree. It was energized at 19.9 kilovolts. The employee was working at a height of approximately 6.9 meters (22 feet, 8 inches) above the ground. The power line was approximately 8.5 meters (27 feet, 10 inches) above ground level. The branch he was cutting made contact with the overhead power line, and the employee was electrocuted. An investigation revealed that company owners were onsite at the time of the accident and aware that overhead high voltage lines were close to the tree branches being cut. No action was taken to deenergize or cover the power lines or to provide other means of protection from electric shock other than to instruct employees to use a rope to lower the branches.
Keywords: E GI III, OVERHEAD POWER LINE, ELECTRICAL, TREE LIMB, WORK RULES, ELECTROCUTED, ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR, ELECTRIC SHOCK, UNTRAINED, TREE TRIMMING
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 312332489 | Fatality | Electric Shock | Laborers, except construction |