OSHA Inspection: PREMIER MAID SERVICE, INC

Issued

2008-09-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2008-09-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $6300.00

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 at 100 Pearl Street, Hartford CT:  Two employees were using rope
descent systems to
wash the exterior windows of a 17 story high rise building.
1.  Primary working lines and safety lines were tied to the same roof
anchors.
2.  5/8 inch polypropylene rope was used as safety lines for the rope
descent systems.
3.  One 5/8 inch polypropylene rope safety line was worn.  It had cuts and
pulls in the
strands.  It had discoloration, brittleness and splintering which is an
indication of UV
(ultraviolet light) damage.  Safety lines and primary working lies had no
identification
markings.
4.  5/8" polypropylene safety lines were attached to roof anchors using
overhand loop knots.
The loop knots reduced the tensile strength of the rope to less than 5000
pounds.  A
white primary working line (New England Ropes 1/2" Safety Blue rope) was
tied with
an overhand loop knot. The loop knot reduced the tensile strength of the
rope to less than
5000 pounds.
5.  Miller Model 8174 rope grabs were being used to attach lanyards to
safety lines.  These
rope grabs did not incorporate an anti panic stop feature.
6.  Working lines used with two Sky Genie variable descent systems were
not Sky Genie
brand ropes.  The manufacturer of the Sky Genie equipment prohibits the
use of line that
is not Sky Genie brand.
One feasible and acceptable method of abating the hazard is:
1.  Develop and implement a written plan of service for the 100 Pearl
Street location in
accordance with American National Standards Institute Standard ANSI/IWCA
I-14.1
entitled "Window Cleaning Safety".  Identify in the work plan each
anchorage that will
be used as a tie off for ropes.  Ensure that anchorages used for personal
fall arrest
systems (safety lines) are independent of anchorages used for the
suspension system
(primary working lines).
2.  Discontinue the use of safety lines that are made entirely of
polypropylene.
3.  Mark working lines with length, diameter, date of manufacture and date
placed in
service.  Develop a means to track the use of working lines to ensure that
they are not
used longer than two (2) years from the date first placed in service or
three (3) years
from the date of manufacture.  Provide a means to identify and log the use
of lifelines.
Ensure that ropes are removed if they show signs of excessive wear of
degradation.
4.  Use rope with attachment hardware built into the ends OR if knots are
used ensure that
the specific knots used do not reduce the initial breaking strength of the
rope to below
5000 pounds.
5.  Use safety line rope grabs that include by design an anti panic stop
feature.
6.  Before using any working line other than the line specified by the
manufacturer of the
rope descent equipment obtain approval from the manufacturer.  Ensure that
the line
being used is not exposed to excessive wear from the twist created in the
rope when it
goes through the descent device hardware.
Specific Abatement Documentation is Required