OSHA Inspection: X-CEL SERVICES, INC.

Issued

1996-06-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-06-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $375.00 · Current $125.00 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 the hazard of falling from a building during window
washing activities:
a)Erie Insurance Place, Erie, Pa. - Workers were exposed to a fall hazards
up to 50 feet.
The following industry recognized practices were not in place on or about
May 22, 1996:
(1) Employer did not adequately supervise the use of equipment to insure
that the
safe working practices were observed according to the ASME/ANSI
A-39.1-1995.
Safety Requirements for Window Cleaning.
(2) The "homemade A" frame apparatus (mule/roof roller/transportable
outrigger/single point suspension scaffold) that supported the boatswain
chair
was
not securely anchored (tied back) to the roof with a minimum tensile load
of
5,400 pounds.
(3) Employee was not using an independent fall arrest system that was
properly
secured to the building structure.
(4) The means of suspension, "A" frame outrigger, did not contain a rated
load
permanently marked by impression or stamped metal plate.
(5) The initial installation was not designed by, or under the direction
of, a
registered professional engineer to comply with the design and use safety
requirements.
(6) Each "A" frame outrigger was not secured to a certified anchorage
directly
under the inboard end of the outrigger on the building; during the entire
period
of their use.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard if to:
(1) Adequately supervise the proper use of equipment to insure that the
safe
working practices were observed according to ASME/ANSI A-39.1-1995. Safety
Requirements for Window Cleaning.
(2) 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.
(3) Use of a separate fall arrest system (including bodybelt, sit harness,
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 afriction 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;
(4) Purchase "A" frame apparatus that is designed by a registered
professional
engineer, with durable rated load label, and tie it back to a certified
anchorage
that has a minimum tensile strength of 5,400 pounds.

Issued

1996-06-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-06-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $375.00 · Current $125.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-06-24 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-06-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $250.00 Reduced