Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: FALLING

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(l) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: 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 the hazard of a tree falling and striking an employee: a)jobsite - two employees who were directing the fall of a tree during a felling operation on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, did not prepare a cleared escape route prior to initiating the felling of the tree. ABATEMENT NOTES: Feasible methods to correct this hazard: [Reference ANSI Z133.1-2006 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations Section 8.5 Tree Removal] *A planned escape route for all workers shall be prepared before cutting any standing tree or trunk. The preferable escape route is 45 degrees on either side of the line drawn opposite the intended direction of the fall. Obstructions shall be cleared along the escape path. [ANSI Z133.1-2006 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations Section 8.5.4]n