Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for California: A Tree Trimmer Dies When He is Crushed by Palm Tree Branches

摘要

A self-employed tree trimmer died while trimming the palm branches from an 80-foot palm tree in the yard of a private residence. The victim climbed the palm tree and got underneath the palm branches to trim them off the tree. As he cut the dead palm branches off the tree, they intertwined and formed a skirt anchored by the remaining branches. This skirt engulfed him, crushing him against the tree. The victim did not have any training or accreditation in palm tree trimming. The CA/FACE investigator determined that, in order to prevent future incidents, tree trimming companies and self-employed tree trimmers who trim or remove palm trees should ensure that: (1) Palm tree trimming or removal is performed or supervised by workers trained in hazard recognition and accepted safe work practices. In addition, homeowners should: (2) Hire arborists or tree trimming companies who have received training or accreditation in palm tree trimming by organizations such as the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).