Lawn care company cited after employee death

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A Johnston based lawn care company was cited for seven serious workplace safety violations after the death of an employee in July.

The worker was fatally shocked on July 30, when he was trimming a tree in Johnston and the pruner he was using hit a 7,200 volt power line.

An investigation by The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration showed that AAA Professional Lawn Care Inc. did not de-energize or ground the power lines before beginning work. They also failed to provide protective shields, barriers, and insulating materials to the employee.

The investigation showed that the employee did not receive proper training and was not wearing gloves.

“This worker’s death could have been prevented had AAA Professional Lawn Care ensured that the power line was de-energized or otherwise properly protected,” said Patrick Griffin, OSHA’s Rhode Island area director. “Further, the company should have provided ensured the use of proper equipment, training and work practices to minimize this deadly but avoidable hazard.”

AAA Professional Lawn Care Inc. faces $49,000 in fines.