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In October, a tree removal worker was injured in Orange Township when the bucket-truck boom he was working in broke, tossing him to the ground.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, the accident, which occurred on October 21, involved a Charter Oaks Tree & Landscaping Co. employee. The owner of the business told the paper that the accident occurred when the boom of the bucket truck that was carrying the employee broke.
The worker was allegedly more than 60 feet above the ground when the incident occurred. He was reportedly fastened to a tree trunk and was being lifted when the truck crane tilted, pulling on the boom the man was standing in, which forced him out of the lift.
The man was transported to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital for treatment. The extent of his injuries is unclear. Employees with the company said that tree removal is among the most dangerous jobs in the country.
Tree removal workers often perform tasks that include working at high heights while using heavy equipment to cut down plants. Common accidents include falls from trucks, wounds from machines and/or objects falling on top of workers.
Fall Accidents Can Lead to Devastating Injuries
It should be noted that many jobs in landscaping, electrical work and construction involve fall hazards and must adhere to strict safety standards. Sadly, fall accidents are the leading cause of death in many sectors. In construction, in 2014, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that there were 349 fatal falls in the U.S.
Some fall accidents involve workers being thrown from mobile cranes such as boom trucks, carrier-mounted lattice boom cranes, rough terrain cranes and heavy-lift mobile cranes. When utilizing this equipment, employers have a duty to make sure workers are trained in hoisting techniques and that all capacity limits are followed.
Preparation and training is key in preventing fall accidents. Aside from death, workers can suffer catastrophic injuries such has broken bones, spinal cord injuries and brain injuries that leave them unable to work. When this occurs, they may be able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.
Continue to follow our blog for more information about Columbus workplace accidents.