A horrifying accident involving a stump grinder has resulted in citations and penalties against a California landscaping company.

The April 9, 2018 incident that claimed the life of an Amazon employee occurred when the rope he had around his body became entangled in the Dosko stump grinder and he was pulled into the cutting wheel.

A California OSHA investigation found that Amazon allowed the employee to work within the danger zone (75 feet) of the cutting wheel where stones and chips are known to cause serious injury – contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Cal/OSHA issued six citations to the company, for violating heat illness prevention training and prevention standards, failing to establish a serious injury and illness prevention program and failure to operate equipment or machinery according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The company faces $54,750 in penalties.