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

Title 40.1-51.1(a) Code of Virginia: The employer, Solis Company, 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 bodily harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck by, crushing and fall hazards while conducting tree trimming operations at the residential worksite. On May 10, 2007, at 12002 Stuart Ridge Drive, Herndon, Virginia, an employee of Solis Company was working in a tree at a height of 40 feet performing tree trimming operations. The employee cut the top portion of tree trunk above the area he was tied off to and the trunk section apparently fell and broke the limb to which the employee had secured his safety belt and lanyard. The lanyard came loose and the employee fell to the ground and suffered fatal injuries. Although there was another employee at the worksite, he was not trained in emergency procedures in the event of an accident. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is for the employer to establish work procedures and train employees in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z133.1-2006, Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations, section 8.1.2. which provides as follows: "A second arborist or other worker trained in emergency procedures shall be within visual or voice communication during arboricultural operations above 12 feet...."