Asplundh Tree Expert Co. v. WASH. DEPT. OF LABOR & INDUS.

**Tree Company Fined for Safety Violations** This case involved Asplundh Tree Expert Company, which was cited by Washington's Department of Labor & Industries for violating logging safety rules. The company had failed to ensure workers wore proper calked boots (special boots with spikes for traction) and maintain safe distances between workers during tree-felling operations. Asplundh challenged the citation, arguing they shouldn't be held responsible for their employees' safety violations. The company tried to claim the violations were due to unpreventable employee misconduct that was beyond their control. However, the Court of Appeals sided with the Department of Labor & Industries, upholding the citation and the $540 fine against the company. The court found that Asplundh was indeed subject to logging safety regulations and had waived their right to use the employee misconduct defense, meaning they couldn't escape responsibility by blaming their workers. **What This Means for Workers:** This ruling reinforces that employers in dangerous industries like logging must follow strict safety rules and cannot easily shift blame to workers when safety violations occur. It shows that state safety agencies have real authority to enforce workplace protections, even when companies try to fight the citations in court.