Tree business fails to train new worker.
Ordered to pay $39,200 fine by OSHA
Mason Scott Cox was 19 years old when he died in a woodchipper accident. It was his first day on the job. Prior to his death, Mason lived with his grandmother, Alice Neal. Alice was devastated by the loss of her grandson.
The company was cited by OSHA for not training Mason on the safe operation of a woodchipper, not having him review the owner’s manual, not having him watch a safety video and not demonstrating how to operate the machine. A company spokesperson said Crawford may be forced to shut down operations if local customers comes to remember them primarily as the business that caused Mason to die. Mason’s grandmother has asked OSHA to take the fine money and apply it to worker training programs.