OSHA Inspection: RAMSEY WINDOW CLEANING COMPANY

Issued

Nov 25, 1992

Abate by

Dec 5, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $450 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 multiple injuries from a fall:
THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS BELOW (1a AND 1b) HAVE BEEN GROUPED BECAUSE
THEY INVOLVE SIMILAR OR RELATED HAZARDS THAT MAY INCREASE THE
POTENTIAL
FOR INJURY AND/OR ILLNESS.
(a)  Window Cleaning  Site, 650 North 12th Street, Lemoyne
Two (2) employees were observed cleaning windows at the
edge of a flat  roof  with  no fall protection provided
exposing them to  a  24  foot  fall hazard, on or about
August 12, 1992.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to provide and wear safety belts and lanyard.

Issued

Nov 25, 1992

Abate by

Dec 8, 1992

Issued

Nov 25, 1992

Abate by

Dec 5, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $450 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 multiple injuries from a fall:
(a)  Window Cleaning Site, 650 North 12th Street, Lemoyne
Employee was  using  a  sky genie to clean windows and
not utilizing a separate  independent fall arrest
system,
inclusive of a safety  belt,  rope  grap lifeline
with anchorage exposing the employee to  a  maximum 50
foot fall hazard, on or about August 12, 1992.
(b)  Window Cleaning Site, 650 North 12th Street, Lemoyne
Employee was  using  a  sky genie to clean windows and
the two (2) nylon ropes being used were not capable of
sustaining  a  minimum  tensile  load  of 5,000 pounds
exposing the employee to  a  maximum  of  50 foot fall
hazard, on or about August 12, 1992.
(c)  Window Cleaning Site, 650 North 12th Street, Lemoyne
Employee was  using  a  sky genie to clean windows and
the ropes were not effectively padded where they
contacted
to edge of the roof, exposing the employee to a
maximum of 50 foot fall hazard, on or about August 12,
1992.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to:
1.  Training employees in the use of the equipment before it
is used;
2.  Inspection of equipment each day before use;
3.  Proper rigging, including sound anchorages and tiebacks,
in all cases, with particular emphasis on providing
tiebacks when counterweights, cornice hooks, or similar
non-permanent anchorage systems are used;
4.  Use of a separate fall arrest system (including bodybelt,
sit harness, or full body harness, rope grap or similar
device; lifeline; and anchorage (all of which are
completely
independent of the friction device and its
support system)), so that any failure in a friction
device, support seat (or Harness), support line, or
anchorage system will not affect the ability of the fall
arrest system to operate and quickly stop the employee's
fall;
5.  All lines installed (such as by using knots, swages or
eye splices) when rigging descent control devices shall
be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000
pounds;
6.  Provisions are made for rescue;
7.  Ropes are effectively padded where they contact edges
of the building, anchorage, obstructions, or other
surfaces which might cut or weaken the rope;
8.  Provisions are made for intermittent stabilization for
descent in excess of 130 feet.

Issued

Nov 25, 1992

Abate by

Jan 15, 1993

Issued

Nov 25, 1992

Abate by

Dec 8, 1992