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

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 from falling hazard trees: (a) On August 11, 2012, employees engaged in fire line construction activities on steep (50 to 75 degrees) and densely-wooded slopes were exposed to being struck-by hazard trees. Crew members were within 1 to 2 tree lengths and downhill of standing hazard trees consisting of burned or burning trees, snags, and old growth cedar with a known propensity for center rot. Helicopter operations were also occurring and there was the potential for trees to domino. Hazard trees were falling or had already fallen in the areas where they were working. (b) On August 12, 2012, employees engaged in fire line construction activities on steep (50 to 75 degrees) and densely-wooded slopes, including professional contract sawyers assigned to fell hazard trees identified near the fireline, were exposed to being struck-by hazard trees. Crew members were within 1 to 2 tree lengths and downhill of standing hazard trees consisting of burned or burning trees, snags, and old growth cedar with a known propensity for center rot and a shallow root system, as found in the Steep Creek riparian area. Helicopter operations were also occurring and there was the potential for trees to domino. In the areas where the crews were working a significant number of trees had already fallen during the prior two days of fire activity. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement would be to identify hazard trees and control the hazards including, but not limited to the following: Eliminate the hazards with qualified sawyers or heavy equipment; Avoid hazards by designating No Work Zones; Modify suppression tactics or fire line location to avoid high risk areas; Keep clear of bucket drops near trees/snags; and Provide timely feedback to others regarding any hazard trees. ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM