OSHA Inspection: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY

Issued

May 22, 2003

Abate by

May 28, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500

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 failed to ensure that employees followed the written safety
procedures developed
by the employer.  At the Venetian construction project, southwest elevator
shaft area as follows:
a.  Section 35 (Safe Use and Operation of False Cars), subsection B.
Failure to use
fall protection at all times (employee was wearing a harness and lanyard,
but the
lanyard was not attached to a lifeline).
b.  Section 35, D-5a:  The independent safety stop-bloc was bypassed.  The
safety
stop block wire rope was unfastened from its location and then crosby
clipped to
the safety/fall arrest line.  The two wire ropes were then slung over the
elevator
unit, but the ends (that were previously secured) were not re-secured thus
bypassing the line.
c.  Section 35, D-5c:  The safety/fall arrest line was bypassed.  The
safety/fall arrest
wire rope was unfastened from its location and then crosby clipped to the
safety
stop-block wire rope.  The two wire ropes were then slung over the
elevator unit,
but the ends (that were previously secured) were not re-secured thus
bypassing
the line.
d.  Section 35, D-8:  The "sky-climber" wire rope was attached with a
crosby clip
to the safety/fall arrest line.
e.Section 35, D-14:  The overhead supports had been removed and not
secured to
ensure a 5:1 safety factor.
Reference: "Otis Employee Safety Handbook" section 35 "Safe Use and
Operation of False
Cars," specifically sub-sections B, D-5 a and c, D-8, and D-14.
One feasible means of abatement, among others, is to conduct a refresher
training for Otis
employees on the companies safety procedures, specifically on the sections
related to elevator
construction.