Wright Tree Service

Other fall to lower level 16 to 20 feet - Fractures and other injuries, n.e.c. - DES MOINES, Iowa

HOSPITALIZED, Worker hospitalized after incident at Wright Tree Service in DES MOINES, Iowa
Employer Wright Tree Service
Address PO BOX 1718
City, State ZIP DES MOINES, Iowa 50306
Report ID 2020043129
Event Date April 6, 2020
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Fractures and other injuries, n.e.c.
Body Part Head and trunk
Event Type Other fall to lower level 16 to 20 feet
Source of Injury Trees
Secondary Source Limbs, branches-unattached
Industry (NAICS) 561730
GPS Coordinates 41.67000, -93.57000

Location Map

Incident Narrative

On April 6, 2020, an employee climbed a 25-foot pine tree to complete routine maintenance trimming on a two-phase powerline. The employee completed the work on the southwest side of the tree, passed through the center, and began to reposition to the northeast side of the tree. While the employee was repositioning, the limb that he had his work positioning lanyard attached to failed and the employee fell approximately 20 feet to the ground, landing on his back near the base of the tree. The employee was hospitalized with a ruptured diaphragm, collapsed lung, multiple lumbar and thoracic fractures, laceration of the spleen, epidural hematoma, right renal contusion, and multiple rib fractures.

Incident Summary

On April 6, 2020, a worker at Wright Tree Service in DES MOINES, Iowa suffered fractures and other injuries, n.e.c. to the head and trunk. The incident was classified as other fall to lower level 16 to 20 feet, with trees identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 562 severe injury reports involving "Other fall to lower level 16 to 20 feet" incidents in our database. Browse all Other fall to lower level 16 to 20 feet injuries.

See all reports for Wright Tree Service.

Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Other fall to lower level 16 to 20 feet events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
Mar 23, 2015 Seele, Inc. HOUSTON, Texas Traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified Hosp.
May 14, 2018 Ashley Roofing and Siding, LLC YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio Fractures Hosp.
Feb 25, 2015 PORTS AMERICA LONG BEACH, California Traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified Hosp.
Jul 31, 2015 ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Inc. LEESBURG, Florida Internal injuries to organs and blood vessels of the trunk Hosp.
Nov 2, 2022 AR Utilities & Excavation, LLC SAN ANTONIO, Texas Fractures Hosp.
Aug 23, 2018 Antonio Garciano & Sons Construction FRISCO, Texas Fractures Hosp.
Dec 5, 2022 Wright Tree Service Inc. FORT WORTH, Texas Fractures Hosp.
Jun 29, 2022 Liberty Utilities CONCORD, New Hampshire Fractures Hosp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Workers injured on the job have the right to medical treatment covered by workers' compensation, wage replacement benefits during recovery, and protection against retaliation for reporting the injury. You have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if you believe your workplace is unsafe, and OSHA cannot reveal your identity to your employer without your consent. You also have the right to see your OSHA 300 injury log. If your employer denies a workers' comp claim, you can appeal through your state's workers' compensation board. An occupational health attorney can advise on complex cases involving denied claims or third-party liability.

After an employer reports a severe injury, OSHA decides whether to conduct an on-site inspection. Fatalities and amputations typically trigger automatic inspections. For hospitalizations and eye loss events, OSHA may conduct a phone/fax investigation or an on-site inspection based on the circumstances. During an inspection, OSHA compliance officers assess the accident scene, interview witnesses, review safety records, and identify violations. Citations and penalties may be issued. OSHA also works with the employer to abate hazardous conditions. All inspection results are published in OSHA's public inspection database at osha.gov.

You can file an OSHA complaint online at osha.gov/workers/file-complaint, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or by visiting your local OSHA area office. Complaints can be filed anonymously. OSHA prioritizes formal written complaints from workers. If you believe an imminent danger exists, call OSHA immediately, they are required to investigate immediately when there is reasonable grounds to believe imminent danger exists. Workers are protected from retaliation for filing complaints under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act; if you experience retaliation, file a separate complaint within 30 days of the adverse action.

About This OSHA Report

This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.

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