Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at ASPLUNDH TREE EXPERT CO., 6672 State Road 78, LABELLE, FLORIDA 33935
on — Fractures, affecting the ankle(s).
Final narrative
An employee was operating a remote-controlled tree trimming robot when the equipment ran over and fractured his right ankle.
HospitalizedAnkle(s)Agricultural and garden machinery, n.e.c.
At 9:30 a.m. on August 4, 2021, a two-person crew was trimming branches on a 36-foot locust tree using an elevator lift truck. An employee was in the elevated bucket of the boom truck using a stick saw. While he was lowering the boom to clear some hangers, the walking pin to the hydraulic cylinder failed. The upper boom and bucket fell about 7.9 feet, coming to rest on the top of the cab protection rack. The employee suffered a head laceration and was hospitalized.
An employee was trimming a pecan tree with a hand saw. He had climbed the tree and was pulling a limb back to cut it when the limb contacted power lines. The employee was shocked and suffered burns to both hands and both knees.
An employee was walking around his work truck on muddy terrain when he slipped and fell in the mud. His left hip struck a 6-inch tree stump and was broken.
An employee was inspecting a bridge repair project. A gas-powered, walk-behind pavement saw, being used 12 feet away from the employee lunged forward, cutting his left foot. The employee's fourth toe was amputated and he was hospitalized.
An employee had been reviewing an insulated glass unit. The employee was placing the glass unit back in its box when it slipped out of the box and a chipped corner lacerated the employee's left hand.
An employee was on a truck while using a clamp to secure a quartz slab to an A-frame on the truck. A gust of wind pushed the slab onto the employee, resulting in a dislocated right shoulder and wrist.
An employee was shearing off two inches of metal when the metal kicked up and struck his hand. The employee's left ring and middle fingertips were amputated.
An employee was working on a 35,000-pound I.D. fan. As the employee rotated the blades with his foot, the blades continued to spin, lacerating his right foot and amputating a toe.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 561730)
An employee was helping to set up a mulch blowing truck when they were struck by an oncoming vehicle. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured knee, a concussion, and a head laceration; they also received stitches on their arm.
An employee was using a table saw to cut a piece of wood when the saw cut his thumb, index, and middle fingers. His index finger was amputated and he was hospitalized.
An employee was mowing a residential lawn at a client's house. The mower slid on the land and tipped over onto him. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured vertebra in the neck and partial paralysis.
An employee was helping a coworker transport a tall palm tree with a mini skid steer. The employee was severely shocked by a high-voltage electrical wire above the ground.
An employee was retrieving a Christmas tree from a shelf using a ladder. He missed a step and fell to the concrete floor. He sustained injury to his head and wrist.
An employee was operating an agricultural tractor during sugarcane harvesting. The employee sustained a lumbar sprain due to vibration or motion from the tractor.
An employee was moving a 3-ton condensing unit, strapped down on a dolly, out of a garage. The strap broke, causing the employee to fall backward onto the brick pavered driveway. The employee suffered injury to a spinal ligament in the neck.