OSHA Inspection: CLIFF HANGER SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Sep 16, 1992

Abate by

Sep 21, 1992

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $375

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 hazard of one hundred  (100) feet while performing
window washing on a highrise building.
(a) Westin Hotel - 24th & M Street N.W., Washington DC -
On or about 9/9/92 - Employees were observed washing win-
dows on a 10 story building using descent control devices
such as, but not limited to, rescue racks, used with blue
water #2 5/8" rescue rope, Jumar rope grabs and Stubu car-
abiners.  Lifelines were not attached to an independent
anchorage system.  Failure of the common anchorage system
would result in total failure of the primary system which
supported the boatswains chair and the secondary lifeline,
thus creating the fall hazard.
Among others, one feasible and useful means of abatement would be to
use a separate fall arrest system (including bodybelt, 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), support line, or anchorage system will not affect the ability
of the fall arrest system to operate and quickly stop the employees
fall.  Additional implementation of procedures and precautions follows:
*  Descent control equipment will be used in accordance with
the instructions, warnings and design limitations set by the
manufacturer;
*  Training for employees by qualified persons in the use of
the equipment before it is used;
*  Inspection of equipment each day before use;
*  Proper rigging, including sound anchorages and tiebacks, in all
cases, with particular emphases on providing tie-backs when
counterweights, cornice hooks, or similar non-permanent anchorage
systems are used;
*  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.
*  Provisions are made for rescue;
*  Ropes are effectively padded where they contact edges of the
building, anchorage, obstruction, or other surfaces which might cut
or weaken the rope;
*  Provisions are made for intermittent stabilization for
descent in excess of 130 feet.

Issued

Sep 11, 1992

Abate by

Sep 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Issued

Sep 11, 1992

Abate by

Sep 16, 1992

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $375

Issued

Sep 11, 1992

Abate by

Oct 28, 1992

Penalty

Initial $225 · Current $225

Issued

Sep 11, 1992

Abate by

Oct 28, 1992

Issued

Sep 11, 1992

Abate by

Oct 28, 1992

Issued

Sep 11, 1992

Abate by

Oct 28, 1992

Issued

Sep 10, 1992

Abate by

Sep 15, 1992

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600