Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 being struck by a falling tree: (a) Halsey Court (Rear) Utility right of way; An uprooted, 31 inch diameter tree, which was on a 20 degree slope, was being felled in such a manner which created a hazard to employees. (b) Halsey Court (Rear) Utility right of way; The immediate supervisor was not consulted, prior to commencing tree felling operations, when unfamiliar or unusually hazardous conditions were present. (c) Halsey Court (Rear) Utility right of way; Mechanical or other techniques that minimize employee exposure were not utilized before work commenced on the 31 inch diameter tree that was lodged in the overhead telephone lines. (d) Halsey Court (Rear) Utility right of way; Before tree felling operations were started, a retreat plan and a clear retreat path was not assembled for the 31 inch diameter tree which was on a 20 degree slope and lodged in the overhead telephone lines. (e) Halsey Court (Rear) Utility right of way; Employees were not trained in maintaining a safe distance from the feller when an undercut was made on the 31 inch diameter tree that was leaning (lodged) in the overhead telephone lines. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to develop/implement/maintain a tree felling procedure that meets the requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.266.