OSHA opens investigation into deadly tree-trimming incident

UPDATE, August 15: OSHA has opened investigation into Friday’s incident in which a tree trimmer was killed by a falling tree limb.

The Kansas City office for theU.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate what happened.

OSHA says the incident happened Wednesday, but wasn’t reported until Friday.

ORIGINAL: Columbia police say a 25 year-old man was killed on Wednesday when a tree limb fell on him.

Nelson’s Tree Service confirms it was one of its employees.

Authorities said the limb fell on the victim around 2p.m. Wednesday in the 3900 block of Deerfoot way.

Police say the man was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Nelson’s Tree Service said in a statement Friday, “Our heart goes out to the family. We are doing everything we can to figure out what happened and to make sure something like this never happens again.”

Police said a death investigation is pending.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Friday it had not received a report from Nelson’s Tree Service about the death.

A duty officer with OSHA said he will be reaching out to the company today and there will most likely be an investigation into the company for the death.

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