La Mesa company fined in tree trimmer's death

LA MESA A La Mesa real estate company faces fines of more than $90,000 in connection with a fatal tree-trimming incident last year, a state agency said Monday.

Joshua Alan Pudsey, 42, was struck and killed by part of a 60-foot eucalyptus tree that he was helping remove from a La Mesa home Nov. 12. Pudsey had worked at Three Frogs, Inc. for about three months when the incident happened.

The states Division of Occupational Safety and Health department determined neither Pudsey, nor any of the other laborers employed by the company, had the experience or training needed to cut down the large tree.

The incident is a vivid reminder of what can go wrong when employers dont have proper safety procedures in place, Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relationship said in a statement.

Three Frogs, Inc. could not be reached by phone for an interview and a message couldnt be left on their phone.

Investigators said the company, which buys and resells homes, failed to hire a qualified tree worker to supervise work related to tree trimming, tree repair or removal of trees taller than 15 feet, as is required by law. The employees also werent trained to use the 80-foot aerial lift used to cut the tree, nor were they provided with eye protection or fall harnesses while working the lift.

When safety takes a back seat to the bottom line, tragedies such as this one will result, acting Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum said in the statement.

The company was cited for a total of 13 violations. Eight were considered serious in nature, which means there was a possibility that death or serious injuries could have resulted. The company has 15 working days to appeal the violations.

The California Labor Commissioners office is also investigating the company for possible labor violations.

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La Mesa company fined in tree trimmer's death