OSHA Inspection: COLIN SERVICE SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

Mar 24, 2000

Abate by

Apr 11, 2000

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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 to the ground from approximately
70 feet.
LOCATION:  540 White Plains Road, Tarrytown.  East side of building.
On or about 09/25/99
a)  Window washer/cleaner was not provided with a descent control device /
equipment designed
to be used for window cleaning or the use of devices that are designed for
both window cleaning
and emergency descent provided that these devices are used in accordance
with safety principles
applicable to similar equipment (in this case, boatswain's chairs,
single-point and two-point
suspended scaffolds) and national consensus standards (such as ANSI
A39.1-1987, with addenda
A through C, "Safety Requirements for Window Cleaning"_.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and accepted abatement
method to
correct this hazard is to:
a)  Implement all the following procedures and precautions for employees
who use descent
control devices;
1.  Train employees in the use of the equipment before it is used;
2.  Inspect equipment each day before use;
3.  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;
4.  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 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 employee's fall;
5.  All lines installed (such as by using knots, swags or eye splices)
when rigging descent
control devices shall be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of
5,000 pounds;
6.  Provisions are made for rescue;
7.  Ropes are effectively padded where they contact the building,
obstructions, or other surfaces
which might cut or weaken the rope;
8.  Provisions are made for intermittent stabilization for descent in
excess of 130 feet.
NOTE:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this
item in accordance
with 29 CFR 1903.19.