Inspection Detail

Inspection: 316521145 - Tree Care Incorporated

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

On February 14, 2013, Employee #1 was working as a tree climber. He was on his third day on the job with his employer, but, as he told an inspector, he had twelve years' experience climbing. He was about 30 feet (9.1 meters) up in a tree, attempting to reposition his climbing line so that he could go higher. Because of branches in his way, he could not make the throw with his throw ball to the desired location from the ground. Instead, he had to go part way up and then reposition his climbing line. After he was aloft, he trimmed a few small branches with a hand saw. Then he attempted to throw his climbing line to a higher crotch. For some reason, Employee #1 lost his balance and fell to the ground. It was not known why his Flipline safety lanyard was not around the tree. Witnesses who came to assist saw only one end of the Flipline connected to his tree worker's saddle. A coworker called emergency medical services. Employee #1 was taken to UC Davis Hospital in Sacramento, where he spent five days for treatment of his compressed and fractured vertebrae. Employee #1 was off work for several months. His employer and the Sacramento Fire Department reported the incident that same day.

Keywords: FRACTURE, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, BACK, TREE, LANYARD, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, LOST BALANCE, VERTEBRA, TREE TRIMMING