State Work Safety Agency Fines Tree Trimmer $100K After Electrocution

Virginia's work safety agency has fined a Chesapeake tree-trimming company $100,270 after a worker was electrocuted while working near power lines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported six citations against Lucas Tree Experts in its Nov. 2 newsletter. Inspectors from the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program found that the company failed to provide personal protective equipment, adhere to the rules that required workers to trim trees at a safe distance from energized lines, and ensure workers were properly secured to trees with climbing and position ropes....