OSHA Inspection: JENKINTOWN WINDOW CLEANERS

Issued

1996-03-29 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-04-03 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 of 50 feet while cleaning windows using
improper rigging practices:
a)Society Hill Towers, 285 Street, James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(West
Bldg.) - On or about 3/18/96 an employee who was observed preforming window
cleaning operations using a Miller descent control device, was not
adequately
protected from a fall hazard in that the employees' independent safety line
stopped approximately 50 feet above the ground.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among others, one feasible and useful means of
abatement would be to require and ensure that all employees be provided
with and
use an appropriate fall arrest system rigged independent of the primary
support
system when working at heights greater than six (6) feet above the ground
and
exposed to a fall hazard.
Additional implementation measures including but not limited to:
*All employees to trained in and familiar with proper rigging practices,
limitations
and safety precautions.
*All lines installed when rigging descent control devices shall be capable
of
sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 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.
*Provisions are made for rescue.ions