OSHA Inspection: GLASS MASTERS

Issued

Jul 10, 1995

Abate by

Jul 13, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $500 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 fall hazards of approximately 40 feet while cleaning
windows:
a) Pier 3 Condominium, 3 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106 - an
employee was observed cleaning windows while suspended from a boatswains
chair using a "rack" system controlled descent device that was attached to
a
"Fitch" portable boom that was not properly rigged.  The employees' safety
line
was not independently secured to an anchoring system also the "Fitch" boom
system was not properly secured to an anchoring system in that there was
approximately 15 feet of slack in the tieback line. The required
counterweight
safety factor of 4 to 1 also was not met.  Observed 06/15/95.
Some feasible and useful means of abatement of these issues would be:
1) To independently secure the safety line to an anchoring point capable of
supporting 5000 lbs.
2) To properly secure the boom system ensuring that there is no slack in
the
tieback line and properly secured to an anchoring point capable of
supporting
5000 lbs.
3) To increase the counterweight to ensure that there is always a 4 to 1
safety
factor between the suspended weight and the counterweight.

Issued

Jul 10, 1995

Abate by

Jul 13, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Jul 10, 1995

Abate by

Jul 13, 1995