OSHA Inspection: AMALGAMATED BUILDING SERVICES, INC.

Issued

2003-06-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $300.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1):  The employer failed to furnish
employment and a place of
employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or
were likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to his employees:
The employer failed to ensure that place of employment was free from
recognized hazards, as
follows:
a.New York New York Hotel and Casino, window cleaning operation, two
employees were using anchor points which were not designed and approved for
window cleaning.  Roof parapet wall braces were used to tie off the work
line
and the personal lifeline.  The braces were not designed for a 5000 pound
minimum load or 4-to-1 safety factor.
Reference: ANSI/IWCA I-14.1 - 2001, "Window Cleaning Safety", Section 3.9
and
Section 9.1.1 (*):  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. (*) Anchorages shall be capable of sustaining a 5000 pound
minimum load
or 4-to-1 safety factor, whichever is greater, in any direction that a
load may be applied.
b.New York New York Hotel and Casino, window cleaning operations, employees
were allowed to use a rope descent system on buildings where descents
exceed
300 feet above grade.  New York New York towers are in heights up to 451
feet.
Reference:  ANSI/IWCA I-14.1 - 2001, Window Cleaning Safety, Section
5.7.12:
Operators of rope descent systems shall continuously monitor wind speed
and weather
conditions throughout the course of operation.  Rope descent systems shall
not be used
for window cleaning when wind speeds become excessive in accordance with
Section 3.7
of this standard.  On descents higher than 130 feet (40m), provisions
shall be made for
stabilization.  Such provisions may include: a) continuous, (Part B); b)
intermittent, (Part
B); c) work station (suction cups).  Descent shall not exceed 300 feet
(91m) above the
grade unless the windows cannot be safely and practicably accessed by
other means.
c.New York New York Hotel and Casino, a written plan was not developed and
readily available as required to inform window cleaners, the building
owner,
enforcement authorities and the emergency personnel of working conditions,
known hazards, public protection, etc.
Reference:  ANSI/IWCA I-14.1 - 2001, Window Cleaning Safety, Section 1.7:
A
written plan developed by the window cleaning contractor or qualified
person shall be
provided that will inform the building owner or their operating agents
when windows to
be cleaned are located in areas where workers may utilize suspended
equipment or;
where workers are exposed to falls or other known hazards or; where the
public may beexposed to overhead equipment operations.  The plan shall
include among its conditions
the identification of hazardous areas, drop zones, safety features and
areas requiring
public protection.  The plan shall be readily available for use by the
building owner or
their operating agents, window cleaners, enforcing authorities and
emergency personnel.
The use of a written plan applies to a dwelling house over 3 full stories
high or occupied
by more than 3 families.
One feasible method of abatement is to have assurance from the building
owner that the
anchorages and fixtures permanently dedicated to the building are safe and
maintained in
compliance with the referenced standard and that all accepted safe
practices for window cleaning
included in the ANSI/ICWA I-14.1 - 2001 are followed.