OSHA fines landscaping firm for heat-related death

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited an Indiana-based landscaping company for what it called a serious safety violation that contributed to a Dexter, Missouri, man’s July heat-related death near Poplar Bluff.

According to OSHA, Townsend Tree Service LLC of Muncie, Indiana, failed to protect employee Tyler S. Halsey, 23, of Dexter from heat-related illness as he was working tree-trimming operations near Poplar Bluff. Halsey collapsed at 4:30 p.m. July 22 and was admitted to a hospital with a core temperature of 108 degrees. He died at the hospital the following day.

Townsend Tree Service hired Halsey only three days before, and he was not acclimated to the heat, according to reports. Investigators determined he collapsed after working more than nine hours in direct sunlight during a day when the heat index climbed to 112 degrees.

OSHA said the company lacked heat-prevention and acclimatization-training programs and must pay a $12,471 penalty in the next 15 days or appeal.

Townsend Tree Service did not return calls and emails seeking comment.

Butler County Coroner Jim Akers said autopsy and toxicology are being conducted by medical examiners in Farmington, Missouri.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.