OSHA Inspection: QUISH WC

Issued

Aug 18, 2004

Abate by

Sep 14, 2004

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

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 dealth or serious physical harm to employees,
in that employees were
exposed to a fall hazard.
Location - 420 Boylston Street, Boston:
On or about 04/12/04, a horizontal line used as anchorage for supporting a
rope descent
system, consisting of a polyester and ployolefin fiber did not conform to
ANSI/IWCA
I-14.1 2001 Standard for Window Cleaning, thereby exposing an employee to
fall
hazards.
Feasible abatement methods include but are not limited to the following:
1. Consult a qualified professional engineer to design a horizontal line
and determine that
is caplable of supporting the load factor based on the nominal strength of
wire rope, its
end terminations and anchorages.
2. Implement a comprehensive safety program that includes hands on
employee training
in the proper use of approved rigging, fall protection systems, and rescue
techniques.
3. Perform an evaluation of all employees to have full comprehension of
the safety
training program, manufacturers instructions and limitations of the RDS
equipment and
the ANSI/IWCA I-14.1 2001 Standard for Window cleaners.
4. Ensure a competent person inspects all anchor points and rigging
components being
used prior to start of work, before each use, and ensure all working
practices and
proceedures for window cleaning operations are performed under supervision
of a
competent person.
5. Submit a plan of service to the building owner or his agent to adress
all safety
concerns and to identify the use of anchorage points, prior to service
being performed.
6. Remove from service any defective components of the RDS system that
supports
human life.
7. Ensure all ropes are protected from contact with any surface that may
abrade, sever,
weaken or damage it.

Issued

Aug 18, 2004

Abate by

Sep 14, 2004

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced