OSHA Inspection: NORTHEASTERN BUILDING MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

1997-08-11 00:00:00

Abate by

1997-08-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $375.00 · Current $375.00

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 fall hazards:
(a)400 North Market Street State Office Building - Two (2) window washers
were
exposed to an approximate forty eight (48) foot fall to the ground as they
repelled
down the face of the building with descent control devices.  The employees
did
not wear safety belts or harnesses attached to an independently rigged
lifeline.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE
FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
1.Before utilizing the system, employees must be trained and familiar with
proper
rigging
practices, limitations and required safety precautions.
2.The components of such systems must be inspected before they are
utilized.
3.Employees must be protected by a safety belt or harness and lanyard
attached to a lifeline
rigged independently of the primary support system.
4.The roof attachment points used to anchor the primary support system and
lifeline must
be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds.
5.When drops of more than 130 feet are attempted the system and/or
employees should be
secured to the sides of the building in a manner that will stabilize the
system.
6.There must be a rescue retrieval system immediately available that will
permit employees
to be safely lowered to the ground or raised to the roof.  Such system may
not rely upon
action(s) by the suspended employee.