OSHA Inspection: AMALGAMATED BUILDING SERVICES, INC.

Issued

2002-09-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2002-10-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $875.00

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 an employee 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 the boatswain's chair and a lifeline for the
window washer 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 450 feet.
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 owner 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 abatement method is for the employer to verify that the
building owner had the
appropriate testing and certification of all anchorages used for window
cleaning operations
completed in accordance with ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001.n