OSHA Inspection: GENIE SERVICES

Issued

Aug 30, 1996

Abate by

Sep 5, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to:
a)MADISON PLAZA BUILDING, 5th and 6th FLOORS, ON OR ABOUT 6/4/96;
EMPLOYEES WERE SITTING ON THE WINDOW SILLS WITH MORE
THAN ONE ARM EXTENDED BEYOND THE SASH OF THE WINDOW IN
ORDER TO CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE STATIONARY WINDOW
WITHOUT USING ANY MEANS OF FALL PROTECTION TO PREVENT
EMPLOYEES FROM FALLING THROUGH THE WINDOW OPENING
WHERE THE FALL POTENTIAL WAS APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE METHOD TO REDUCE THIS HAZARD IS
TO ESTABLISH AND ENFORCE ADEQUATE SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURES SUCH
AS THOSE STIPULATED IN THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR WINDOW CLEANING (ASME A39.1-1987).  ELEMENTS
ESSENTIAL TO AN ACCEPTABLE SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE INCLUDE AT A
MINIMUM:
1.PROVIDE TRAINING TO WINDOW CLEANING EMPLOYEES IN THE
PROPER USE OF ALL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED AND SUPERVISE THE
USE OF THIS EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE SAFE WORK PRACTICES ARE
OBSERVED.
2.INSTRUCT AND REQUIRE THAT WINDOW CLEANERS CLEANING
WINDOWS FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING DO NOT EXTEND MORE
THAN ONE ARM BEYOND THE WINDOW SASH.  REQUIRE THE USE OF
FALL PROTECTION, SUCH AS BODY HARNESS, LANYARD, AND
LIFELINE IF THIS CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED.