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    Worker Dies After Being Pulled Into Wood Chipper

    Jan. 30, 2025
    The worker was performing tree-trimming services in South Florida.
    ID 11649792 © Emel Atac Tunaboylu | Dreamstime.com
    679bdf7dac9cb535f2922bc4 Dreamstime Xl 11649792

    By: Shira Moolten

    Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

    A man was killed after being pulled into a wood chipper while performing tree-trimming services outside of the Ocean Ridge Town Hall Tuesday morning, officials say.

    The worker was part of a multi-person crew from Carlton’s Tree Service, hired by the town to trim trees around its property. The crew had started about 8 a.m., according to Lynne Ladner, the town manager for Ocean Ridge. It was the first day of the tree-trimming project.

    The latest on site safety

    About 9:30 a.m., Ocean Ridge Police responded to the accident at the Town Hall, at 6450 N. Ocean Blvd., Ladner said. The police department is located at the same address. Officers found that the man had already died from his injuries. No one else was injured.

    Several workers and a town employee who was overseeing the project witnessed the accident, Ladner said. Police had not identified the worker as of Tuesday afternoon because his wife had not yet been notified. The worker had a brother in the area, but the rest of his family lives in Mexico.

    OSHA will also investigate the accident, Ladner said. Boynton Beach Fire Rescue is providing grief counseling to town employees and employees of the tree-trimming service.

    Carlton’s Tree Service was previously cited by OSHA in 2012 and 2014 over workers not wearing fall safety equipment while trimming trees.

    A voicemail left with the company was not immediately returned Tuesday.

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