OSHA Inspection: CITY WINDOW CLEANING

Issued

May 10, 1995

Abate by

May 14, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

May 1, 1995

Abate by

May 5, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,250 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 were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees were exposed to fall hazards of 80
feet while washing windows using improper rigging practices.
a)HUD Building, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, D.C.
On or about 3/28/95 an employee was injured when he
fell approximately 5 stories while washing windows from
a boatswain's chair.  It was determined that the
employee used a common anchorage for the lifeline and
boatswain's chair which was connected to a friction
device with a two part line. The anchorage failed which
caused all three lines to pull loose causing the fall.
Among others, one feasible and useful means of abatement would be
to use a separate fall arrest system (including body belt, or
full body harness; rope grab 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), or support line, or
anchorage system will not affect the ability of the fall arrest
system to operate and quickly stop the employee's fall.
Additional implementation of procedure follows:
*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 5000
pounds;
*Provisions are made for intermittent stabilization for
descents in excess of 130 feet;
*Descent control equipment will be used in accordance
with the instructions, warnings and design limitations
set by the manufacturer;
*Inspection of equipment before it is used;
*Provisions are made for rescue;
*Training for employees by qualified persons in the use
of the equipment before it is used;
*Proper rigging, including sound anchorages and tiebacks
when counterweights, cornice hooks, or similar non
permanent anchorage systems are used;
*Ropes are effectively padded where they contact edges
of the building, anchorage obstructions, or other
surfaces which might cut or weaken the rope;n