OSHA Cites Florida Tree Service After Fatal Wood Chipper Incident
A Port Saint Lucie contractor faces $16,550 in penalties after an employee was fatally injured at a Boynton Beach worksite, with investigators citing crushed-by hazards linked to wood chipper operations.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Sep 03, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Port Saint Lucie tree service contractor for allegedly exposing workers to crushed-by hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries while operating a wood chipper at a Boynton Beach worksite in January 2025.
Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Carlton’s Tree Service Inc. with a serious violation. To address the violation, the employer will pay $16,550 in penalties and take actions to amend the hazard.
Learn more about OSHA, including safe work practices when operating a chipper machine. Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.