OSHA Inspection: SCHINDLER ELEVATOR CORPORATION

Issued

Aug 7, 2006

Abate by

Aug 25, 2006

Penalty

Initial $5,000

Issued

Aug 7, 2006

Abate by

Aug 25, 2006

Penalty

Initial $5,000

Issued

Aug 7, 2006

Abate by

Aug 25, 2006

Penalty

Initial $5,000

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 employer failed to provide adequate protection,
instruction and equipment to
prevent serious injury or death by permitting employees to utilize unsafe
work practices which
needlessly exposed them to a potential fall of 80 feet.  On or about 8
February, 2006 at
Beaumont Towers, Beaumont, TX,  employees were working from the top of
elevator # 3 at
heights that were greater than 80 feet to check/adjust the governor wheel.
This task is normally
performed with the elevator cab at ground level.
Among other methods,one feasible and acceptable abatement method is
to:Follow the instruction
of stop switch procedures in the Elevator Industry Field safety Hand
book,Paragraph 8.1.2, Page
37: insure that the employees are familiar with the position of the car
and the counter weights
of the car being accessed as well as any other cars /counter weights in
the vicinity and take
appropriate measure to keep your self and others away from hazards.
Personal Fall Arrest
System  Paragraph 4.1 Page 21 and  Lockout/Tagout procedures Section 7,
Paragraph 7.3, Page
32: Never access the hoistway unless you have a reliable method of
controlling the car.
Paragraph 7.1, Page 32: Where accidental starting of the equipment could
create a hazard- open
mainline power disconnect switch to shut off the power.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selection and carrying out an
appropriate abatement
method.