OSHA Inspection: ADVANCED SERVICES

Issued

Sep 18, 2008

Abate by

Sep 23, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

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 Linden Building Hartford CT:  On or about 8/18/08 two workers
were using rope
descent systems to wash the exterior windows of the building
1.A worker doing window washing was wearing a Petzl Falcon C38 harness.
His safety
line was connected to the Petzl harness. The harness was not rated as a
fall arrest
harness.
2.The primary working line and safety line for one rope descent system
were tied together
around a roof vent. The primary working line and safety line for the
second rope descent
system were tied together to a railing in the stairwell. The strength of
the anchorage tie
off points was unknown.
3.A steel frame counterweighted outrigger was used to support one rope
descent system.
The outboard end from the fulcrum to the rope attachment point measured 54
inches.
The inboard end from the fulcrum to the counterweights measured 78 inches.
135
pounds of counterweight was used to support a 210 pound worker.
4.Two counterweighted outriggers were used to support rope descent
systems. Primary
working lines and safety lines were tied to the outboard ends of the
outriggers.
5.Two counterweighted outriggers used to support rope descent systems were
not tied back.
6.Primary working lines and safety lines used with two rope descent
systems were
excessively worn and frayed. The ropes were not marked with their identity
or
manufacture date. A rack descent device had a hole worn through one of the
rack
sections.
7.A Fallstop body harness and lanyard were dated 8/1997.
8.Rope grabs being used to attach harnesses to safety lines did not have
an anti panic stop
feature.
AMONG OTHER METHODS THE FOLLOWING ARE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE
MEANS OF ABATING THE HAZARDS:
1.Ensure that workers who are using rope descent systems wear full body
harnesses that
meet the requirements of the American National Standards Institute
standard ANSI
Z359.1, "Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems".
2.Develop and implement a written plan of service for the 1 Capitol Avenue
Linden
building in accordance with section 1.7 of American National Standards
Institute standardANSI/IWCA I-14.1, "Window Cleaning Safety". Identify in
the work plan each
anchorage that will be used as a tie off for ropes. Have a qualified
individual certify that
each anchorage point is capable of sustaining a 5000 pound minimum load.
Ensure that
anchorages used for personal fall arrest systems (safety lines) are
independent of
anchorages used for the suspension system (primary working lines).
3.Set up the outrigger so that the length of the inboard end in not less
than 1.5 times the
length of the outboard end. Use an adequate amount of counterweight to
ensure that the
outrigger can support at least 4 times the rated load. (In this case in
excess of 600 pounds
of counterweight would be required. 135 pounds was being used.)
4.Attach ropes to outriggers using safety hooks or pin type shackles.
5.Tie outriggers back to certified anchorage points on the building
(capable of supporting
5000 pounds) using wire rope cables at least 5/16 inches in diameter.
6.Remove the defective ropes and rack descent devices from service.
Develop and
implement a comprehensive maintenance and inspection program to cover
window
washing equipment including rope descent systems and safety devices.
Conduct a
thorough inspection of all lines and equipment before each use.
Immediately remove from
service those components that have defects. Permanently mark all ropes
with the date of
manufacture and the date they were placed in service. Remove ropes from
service
if they
have been in use over 2 years of if they are more than 3 years from the
date of
manufacture.
7.Replace the Fallstop body harness and lanyard as per the manufacturer's
recommendations. Replace infrequently used harnesses at least every 5
years.  Consider
replacing harnesses that have received excessive or hard use every 2 years.
8.Use rope grabs for fall arrest that include by design, an anti panic
stop feature.

Issued

Sep 18, 2008

Abate by

Sep 23, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced