OSHA Inspection: HI RISE, INC.

Issued

Feb 6, 2002

Abate by

Feb 11, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

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 serious injuries and or death from falling
while utilizing a descent
control device to wash windows:
(a) Location: 200 West Street, Waltham, Ma;
On or about 12/20/2001, an employee was working from a "Sky Genie"
seatboard
utilizing a descent control device called a "Rack" which was hung from a
single 1/2"
nylon braided rope tied back to a rolling outrigger beam with the lifeline
tied back to the
outrigger.
Among other means, feasible means of abatement would be to:
1) Train employees in the use of Sky Genie Seatboard and also the descent
devices before
use.
2) Inspect the rope, rope grab, descent equipment, and Sky Genie Seatboard
before
use.
3) Ensure a separate fall arrest system (full body harness, rope-grab or
similar device;life
line anchorage (all of which are independent of the friction device,
support seat (or
harness) so that any failure in a friction device, support seat (or
harness) support line or
anchorage system will not effect the ability of the fall arrest system to
operate and
quickly stop the employees fall.
4) Provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or assure
that employees
are able to rescue themselves.