OSHA Inspection: 9 GROUP

Issued

Sep 16, 2002

Abate by

Oct 4, 2002

Penalty

Initial $2,125

General-duty citation text

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1):  The employer did not furnish
employment and a place of
employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or
likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees:
The employer did not ensure that anchor points were approved prior to use
by a window washer
at the following location:
a.Balconies, north and south sides of the Ghost Bar, davit arm
support boxes and wall eye bolts that were used as anchor points
for the work line of a boatswain's chair and a lifeline for a
contractor's employee were not tested and certified to be capable
of handling these loads.  If the anchor points failed, the employee
could have been exposed to a fall of up to approximately 400 feet
to the ground.
Reference:
ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001, Section 3.9
-Building owners and window cleaning contractors shall not allow
suspended work to be performed unless it has been determined that
the building has provided, identified and certified anchorages
complying with Section 9 or 10 for: independent safety lines, tie-
backs for outriggers, parapet clamps, and cornice hooks; primary
support anchorages for powered and manual boatswain's chairs;
primary support anchorages for rope descent systems; horizontal
(rope) lines or lifelines; and wherever else required.
One feasible method of abatement would be for the building owner to
arrange for a recognized
testing laboratory to test and certify the anchorages used by window
washers in accordance with
ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001.