OSHA Inspection: FRENCHY'S WINDOW WASHING SERVICE

Issued

Jul 26, 2006

Abate by

Aug 1, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

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 fall hazards:
Jobsite located at 800 Connecticut Boulevard, East Hartford, Connecticut:
An employee was washing exterior
windows while suspended from a portable rope descent system. The rope
descent system had not been set-up
properly in that:
A.The portable unit had not been provided with a large enough amount of
counterweight to ensure a four
to one safety ratio.
B.The counterweights provided on the unit were not secured to the unit or
otherwise protected from
displacement.
C.The portable unit had not been tied back to the roof mounted I-beam
ensure a 5,000 anchorage point.
Two nylon lifting slings were used in series in a choker configuration to
attach the unit to the I-beam
in lieu of an anchorage strap.
D.The working ropes had been manufactured in January 2003, exceeding the
requirement that ropes be
taken out of service three years after the date of manufacture (or after
two years in service).
E.The vertical life line provided as part of the employee's personal fall
arrest system was tied back to the
portable unit and was not completely independent of the suspension system.
F.The vertical life line provided as part of the employee's personal fall
arrest system was excessively
worn.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to design, install
and use the portable rope descent system in accordance with American
National Standard/International
Window Cleaning Association Standard IWCA I-14.1-2001 Window Cleaning
Safety.
SPECIFIC ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED

Issued

Jul 26, 2006

Abate by

Aug 1, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

Issued

Jul 26, 2006

Abate by

Aug 1, 2006

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750

Issued

Jul 26, 2006

Abate by

Aug 1, 2006