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 hazards of being struck by "spring poles" or branches, limbs, brush and saplings trapped under slash and logs that spring back to their original position when cut free. (a)Stored energy in spring poles was not released in a safe manner nor was the spring pole cut at the stump eliminating the need for the worker to seek a safe position when cutting spring poles. The specific operation involved is slashing a logged unit to remove unwanted standing trees and brush. Among other methods to abate the hazard employees cutting spring poles must cut them at the root or standing is a position away from the sweep of the spring pole that results when the rooted end is cut from the trapped end. Note: Abatement certification and supporting documentation are required for this item.