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 expose to a struck-by hazard while cutting down a tree. On or about 12/04/2003, the employer had not ensured that: 1) the chain saw operator (using the short saw) was trained in the operational procedures of cutting down a tree; 2) the employee (Foreman) entering back into the "work area" got approval from the chain saw operator; 3) the Foreman developed and followed a work plan; and, 4) employees in the work area were looking at the tree/stump until it fell. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to implement a "work plan" identifying the signals for safe or unsafe conditions, ensure that employees never enter a fall zone/work area unless the operator is aware of it and acknowledges the employee, and ensure that all the employee(s) in the "work area" have constant visual contact with the tree/stump. [Reference American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z133.1, "Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush - Safety Requirements, Section 9.5 - Tree Removal.]nts,