Inspection Detail

Inspection: 312622194 - Coventry Tree Service

Inspection Information - Office: Cleveland Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on October 6, 2008, an employee, a foreman and three coworkers from Coventry Tree Service arrived at private residence. The company was contracted by the home owner to remove a damaged branch at the top center section of a large oak tree that had broken and was hanging from a storm a few weeks ago. The crew consisted of one foreman and three workers and two arborist type bucket trucks. The crew began removing small branch sections from the large branch from heights of about 60-90 feet using one of the bucket trucks. Upon completion of the removal of the smaller branches, the climber located in the bucket truck tied off the main top of the branch to lower the finished section. During the lowering of the main branch, it became hung up on the lower tree branches at a height of about 60 feet. The climber located inside the bucket truck and the employee located directly below the branch at the base of the tree attempted to free the large branch by pulling and tugging the guide line. This action by the climber and employee caused a six-foot in length section of the cut end of the branch to break off a fall downward striking the employee in the head as he was looking upward. The employee was not wearing head protection and was standing about 2 feet from the base of the tree. Emergency Medical Services were notified by the homeowner. First responders arrived on site at 9:33 a.m., and Emergency Service Personnel pronounced the employee dead at the scene.

Keywords: TREE PRUNER, HEAD, PPE, TREE, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT