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 harm to employees, in that employees were exposed to serious multiple bodily injuries or death while trimming and/or cutting branches of trees (Tasks): JOBSITE: The employer did not ensure through conducting and performing onsite job briefings and visual hazard assessment, and providing appropriate tools and equipment prior to "commencing" the above tasks utilizing a portable extension ladder and a hand-held portable Chain saws, that the employees were performing the Tasks safely and appropriate at all times: On or about 12/16/11, one of employees engaged in the above Tasks while standing in a inconvenient body position, one foot on an extension ladder and the other foot in the "v" of a tree (natural crotch between branches), fell approximately 25 feet to 30 feet to the ground and sustained severe injuries to the back. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is to: 1. Conduct onsite job briefings and visual hazard assessment and job tasks with employees involved in the above tasks. 2. Providing training, information and instructions that specify step-by-step procedures to be followed. 3. Provide appropriate tools and equipment and training as well. 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 workpractices be followed." B)ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 3.1.4: "A job briefing shall be performed by the qualified arborist in charge before the 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." D)ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 8.1.18: "Arborists shall have available a climbing line and at least one other means of being secured while working aloft; for example, an arborist climbing line and a work-positioning lanyard." E)ANSI Z133.1-2006, Section 8.1.20: "While ascending a ladder to gain access to a tree, the arborist shall not work from or leave the ladder until he or she is tied in or otherwise secured."