OSHA Inspection: VITRO AMERICA, INC DBA BINSWANGER GLASS

Issued

Apr 21, 2005

Abate by

Apr 26, 2005

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and 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 death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to the hazard of being struck by interior insulated window
panes:
(a) On or about 02/11/05 at the back of the Hilton Hotel located at 500 E.
4th St.,
Austin, Texas, employees were unloading 25 of 101 interior insulated
window panes measuring
96" by 76" and each weighing approximately 150 pounds, which were not
adequately secured
from movement, and 21 insulated window panes fell striking one of the
employees on the neck
and chest causing his death.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS:
1. Encourage shipping and transportation companies to use A-frame or
L-frame
rackswhen
transporting interior insulated glass windows panes.
2. Provide equipment and safe methods for securing of the interior
insulated window
panes.when unloading the glass window panes.