Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: On May 10, 1994, employees at 2493 Montgomery Avenue, N.W., were subjected to the hazards of being struck by tree trunk sections while felling resulting in fractures, crushing of body parts, multiple internal injuries or death due to the inadvertent falling of a tree trunk section while cutting and/or moving about in the work area while the tree trunk sections were being droped. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is to follow ANSI Z133.1 - 1988 American National Standard for Tree Care Operations Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush - Safety Requirements, Section 8 - Safe Work Procedures, Part 8.5 - Felling. (a)Before beginning any felling operation, the worker shall carefully consider: (1) The tree and the surrounding area for anything that may cause trouble when the tree falls; (2) The shape of the tree; (3) The lean of the tree; (4) Wind force and direction; (5) Decayed or other weak spots; (6) The location of other persons. (b)The work area shall be cleared to permit sfae working conditions, and an escape route shall be planned before any cutting is started. (c)Each tree worker shal be instructed as to excactly what he/she is to do. Al workers not directly involved in an operation shall be kept clear of the work area.