Tree trimmer fatally shocked; company fined $119K
October 29, 2010 by Fred HosierPosted in: Electrical safety, Fatality, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, OSHA news, PPE (protective equipment), Safety training, Who Got Fined and Why?
PDF OSHA has issued 12 violations to a Pennsylvania tree-trimming company following the electrocution of one of its employees.
On April 20, 2010, 30-year-old Eric Arnold was cutting trees in Bethel Park, PA, for Country Boys Cutting City Trees. Arnold cut a tree limb that came in contact with a 13,200-volt power line and was killed when his chain saw touched the branch.
OSHA issued two willful, seven serious and three other-than-serious violations to Richard Kaposy, the owner of the business.
The willful violations were for failure to:
- provide PPE for workers cutting in and below trees, and
- ensure that an unqualified worker didn’t work close to energized electrical lines.
The serious violations included failure to provide PPE training to employees.
The fines total $119,700. The company has 15 business days to decide whether to contest the fines.
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Tags: electrocuted, power line, tree trimmer
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October 29th, 2010 at 8:36 am
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