18.02.2015

Fatal fall for arborist

A man trimming trees from around power lines near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania fell to his death yesterday.

The man, Charles Shahan, 48, who was working for Davey Tree, was carrying out the work from a bucket truck, using a pole mounted saw in Versailles, to the south east of Pittsburgh. He was confirmed to have died at the scene. Davey Tree Expert is a large business based in Kent, Ohio and is one of the oldest arborists in the USA, it was contracted to Duquesne Light to clear the branches.
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The scene after the emergency services had arrived

Vertikal Comment

While we do not know for certain, it appears that the deceased was not a harness at the time, and seems to have fallen – possibly while leaning over with the pole saw?

A tragedy that could so easily have been avoided, our hearts go out to the family, not to mention work colleagues. Hopefully this sad incident will be used to encourage anyone using a lift such as this to wear a harness and short lanyard.