Pooles Tree Experts: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Jan 16, 2024 (fatal): Employee dies when struck by falling tree

On January 15, 2024, the owner of the company arranged for three helpers (Employee #1 and Coworker #1 and Coworker #2) to meet him at a residential job site to cut down trees in the backyard of a homeowner. Coworker #2 was tasked with making cuts near the base of the trees, while Coworker #2 and Employee #1 used a rope to guide the trees down as they fell. Work began at 8:00 a.m. While the helpers focused on felling trees with a chain saw and rope system, the owner worked with a wood chipper and skid steer. At around 12:38 p.m., the owner left the site to bid for another job and instructed the others to saw up the brush pile and move the debris to the side until he returned. Around 1:00 p.m., the three helpers felled an additional tree that was approximately 60 feet high and 2 to 12 inches in diameter from top to bottom. Coworker #1 made the cut at the base of the tree, while Coworker #2 and Employee #1 used a rope to pull the tree as it fell and guide it down. As the tree fell towards the ground, Employee #1 moved forward into the path of the falling tree. The tree landed on a pile of logs from previously cut trees and broke into two main pieces. Employee #1 was struck in the face/head and pinned underneath the top portion of the tree. Emergency services were called and arrived on scene. Employee #1 was freed from the tree, transported to the ambulance by EMS, and driven to a nearby cul-de-sac, where a medical helicopter landed. Employee #1 was transferred to the helicopter and flown to a nearby hospital. Employee #1 was admitted in critical condition with severe blunt force trauma to the head and later died to his injuries around 12:00 p.m. on January 17, 2024.