A Tree Trimmer is Electrocuted While Trimming a Palm Tree

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cierpich, Hank ; Harrison, Robert ; Styles, Laura
• Corporate Authors:
  California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program (CA/FACE) ; California. Department of Public Health. Occupational Health Branch
• Description:
  A tree trimmer was electrocuted while trimming palm trees in the back yard of a private residence. The trees were located in the northwest corner of the back yard and in close proximity to the utility power pole and high voltage lines. The victim was working alone when the incident occurred. Although unwitnessed, it is likely that a trimmed palm frond contacted the high voltage line and conducted electricity to and through the victim. The CA/FACE investigator determined that, in order to prevent similar future incidents, tree trimming companies and palm tree trimmers should: 1. Ensure that a proper job hazard assessment and briefings are performed prior to starting work by a qualified tree worker who can assess the hazards, including electrical hazards. 2. Ensure that a qualified line clearance tree worker is used when tree trimming is within10 feet of energized high voltage power lines. In addition, homeowners and property management companies who need palm trees trimmed or removed should: 1. Hire only tree workers who are trained or certified by organizations such as the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
• Subjects:
  Accident Prevention Accidents Accidents, Occupational Electric Injuries Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Hazardous Substances Mortality Occupational Health Race Factors Safety Staff Development

  More +
• Keywords:
  Accident Analysis Accident Prevention Electrical Conductivity Electrical Hazards Electrical Power Transmission Lines Electrocutions Environmental Hazards Fatalities Hazard Identification Injury Prevention Language Barrier OSHA Region 9 Outdoor Workers Power Lines Racial Factors Recommendations Training Traumatic Injuries Tree Trimmers Work Experience

  More +
• FACE - NIOSH and State:
  FACE ; Electrocution ; Hispanic ; Foreign Born Workers ; Landscaping Services
• Series:
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE)
• Subseries:
  State
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHSFACE18CA001
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054385
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2019-100307
• Citation:
  Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 18CA001, 2018 Sep ; :1-9
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• Performing Organization:
  California Department of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  56 - Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services - (NAICS)
• Start Date:
  2005/07/01
• End Date:
  2026/06/30
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:8457eb357f882bca1baf12aa8f4509d9ffaaace73a7e26707fb618dae5db755dc36666c3a68fa4899900edf27615341538fffc48198c5d915a9be1003b9acc73
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/164956/cdc_164956_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 347.85 KB ]