OSHA Inspection: UNICCO INTEGRATED FACILITIES SERVICES

Issued

Sep 29, 2003

Abate by

Dec 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety & 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 a fall hazard.
(a) Location: Centre Plaza, Pemberton Square, Boston
On 05/15/03, The anchorages for personal fall arrest systems and descent
control devices
consisted of a singe 5/16 inch horizontal wire rope static line and this
single line was
improperly secured, thereby exposing employees to fall hazards.
Among other means, feasible means of abatement would be:
1) Anchorage points for personal fall protection must be independent of
the descent
control device and its support system, and the horizontal lifeline must be
adequate for
the intended load.
2) Consult a qualified professional engineer to design a horizontal line
and determine that
it is capable of supporting the anchorage load factor by horizontal
dynamic loading of the
cable, based on the nominal strength of the wire rope and end terminations.
3) Ensure a competent person follows the manufacturer's instructions for
wire rope clips
regarding proper arrangement of the wire rope clips, correct spacing
between each clip,
and installation torque when forming turnback eyes. Always include the use
of thimbles
when forming eyes with wire rope clips, and ensure that malleable cast
iron clips shall
not be used.
4) Implement a comprehensive safety program that includes hands on
employee training
in the proper use of approved rigging, fall protection systems, and rescue
techniques.
5) Perform an evaluation of all English speaking and non-English speaking
employees
to have full comprehension of the company safety training manual,
manufacturer's
instructions, warnings and design limitations of the RDS equipment and
ANSI/IWCA I-
14.1 2001 standard, and related safety regulations.
6) Ensure supervisors are qualified and proficient in safe working
procedures and training
in the use of equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions, warnings and
design limitations.
7) Ensure a competent person inspects all anchor points and rigging being
used prior to
the start of work, before each use, and ensure all working practices and
procedures for
window cleaning operations are performed under supervision of a competent
person.
8) Remove from service all wire rope with distorted structure such as
crushed or kinking
conditions.
9) Submit a Plan of Service to the building owner or his agent to address
all safety
concerns and to identify the use of anchorage points, prior to the service
being
performed.
Nothing precludes the company from using alternative abatement methods
which are as
equally or more protective for the employee.

Issued

Sep 29, 2003

Abate by

Dec 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

Issued

Sep 29, 2003

Abate by

Dec 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

Issued

Sep 29, 2003

Abate by

Dec 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

Issued

Sep 29, 2003

Abate by

Dec 1, 2003