Discount Tree Service: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Apr 28, 1996: Employee injured in fall while trimming palm fronds

Employee #1 and two coworkers were assigned to remove dead and drooping fronds f rom two palm trees in the courtyard of a residence in San Jose. Employee #1 and one coworker were the climbers for this job, and the other coworker was the grou nd person. After putting on their safety belts and lines, spikes, and flip lines , they climbed the tree and removed the fronds. The coworker completed his task before Employee #1 and watched for a few moments. Employee #1 did not feel secur e, so he threw his safety line over the top of the tree, securing it between fro nds. He tested the line by putting his weight on it before releasing his flip li ne and spikes. The tree had a lean to it, and when Employee #1 let go of his fli p line and spikes, he swung away from the tree. The fronds holding the safety li ne in place broke, and Employee #1 fell 40 ft to the ground, which was grassy an d fairly soft from being recently watered. Employee #1 sustained injuries that r equired hospitalization.