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

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 harms to employees, in that employees were exposed to serious bodily injuries and/or death while operating a stump cutter: Jobsite: The employer did not ensure through conducting, performing and providing employees with appropriate criteria/categories, such as (but not limited to) the followings prior to commencing the tree felling, cutting and other operations (TASKS) with heavy and portable machines and tools (EQUIPMENT), such as (but not limited to) Stump Cutter, Wood Chipper and hand-held portable Chain Saws that the employees were performing the TASKS safely and appropriately at all times: 1. Conduct onsite job briefings. 2. Perform hazard assessment. 3. Provide adequate and appropriate trainings and information pertaining to the EQUIPMENT. 4. Conduct visual observation of employees performing the TASKS. On or about March 18, 2011, one of employees performing the TASKS came in contact with the rotating high speed cutting wheel of a RAYCO RG 50 Stump Cutter while operating a hand- held portable chain saw from a unstable surface/object, and the employee sustained very serious and multiple injuries from the incident. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is to: 1. Conduct a onsite job briefing and visual hazard assessment with employees involved in the above tasks. 2. Providing training, information and instructions that specify step-by-step procedures are followed by every employee at all times. 3. Conduct visual observation of employee's performance onsite. 4. Utilize other available engineering technologies. 5. Comply with the appropriate section(s) of the following American National Standard Institute, ANSI Z133.1-2006, publication: A)ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 3.1.2: "Employers shall instruct their employees in the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of tools and equipment, including ropes and lines, and shall require that appropriate working practices be followed. B)ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 3.1.4: "A job briefing shall be performed by the qualified arborist in charge before that start of each job. The briefing shall be communicated to all affected workers." C)ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 6.3.5: "When starting a chain saw, the operator shall hold the saw firmly in place on the ground or otherwise support the saw in a manner that minimizes movement of the saw when pulling the starter handle. The chain saw shall be started with the chain brake engaged on saws so equipped. Drop-starting a chain saw is prohibited."