OSHA Inspection: SOUTHWEST ULTRA CLEANER, LLC

Issued

2009-01-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-02-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $300.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1):  The employer failed to furnish
employment and a place of
employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or
were likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to his employees:
The employer failed to furnish employment and a place of employment which
was free from
recognized hazards for employees cleaning windows at the Sam's Town Hotel
& Gaming Hall,
Atrium Penthouse roof as follows:
a.The Plan of Service for the employeess performing the window washing work
was not readily available in that it had not been developed.
Reference:  ANSI/IWCA I-14.1-2001, Window Clean Safety, Section 1.7, Plan
of Service, "A written plan developed by the window cleaning contractor or
qualified person shall be provided that will inform the building owner or
their
operating agents when windows to be cleaned are located in areas where
workers
may utilize suspended equipment or; where workers are exposed to falls and
other
known hazards or; where the public may be exposed to overhead equipment
operations."
b.The Employer did not have an Emergency Recovery plan for the employees
performing the window washing work.
Reference:  ANSI/IWCA I-14.1-2001, Window Clean Safety, Section 1.8,
Emergency Recovery, "In the event of power failure, equipment failure or
disability of any nature, means and procedures shall be established and
provided
for the safe emergency recovery of persons working from suspended equipment
or other types of installations."
c.Suspended work was allowed to be performed when it had not been
determined
that the building had provided, identified and certified anchorages for
independent
safety lines and primary support anchorage for rope descent systems. A
steel
beam that was part of the atrium structure was used as the anchorage.
Window
cleaners tied off to the beam, walked on top of the air ducts, kneeled on
top of
a piece of plywood, and dropped down using a rope descent system. The
employer did not provide documentation showing that the steel beam had been
identified or certified.
Reference:  ANSI/IWCA I-14.1-2001, Window Cleaning Safety, Section 3.9,
Anchorages, "Building owners and window cleaning contractors shall not
allow
suspended work to be performed unless it has been determined that the
building
owner has provided, identified and certified anchorages complying with
section
9 or 10."
d.Employee training did not include job conditions at the atrium penthouse
roof.
Reference: ANSI/IWCA I-14.1-2001; " Window Cleaning Safety", Section 5.7.2;
Rope Descent Systems (RDS). "Employees shall be trained in the use and care
of rope descent systems before they are permitted to use such equipment.
Training shall include but not limited to understanding the manufacturer's
instructions, inspection of components, accepted rigging practices,
identifying
anchorages, descending, fall arrest requirements, rescue consideration and
a full
understanding of safe working conditions considering as a minimum, correct
rigging, rope use, inspection and care the effects of wind on suspended
operations." AND Section 3.4.1. Training, Instruction and Supervision,
"Employers and employees shall be proficient in safe working procedures and
proper use of equipment."
The employees performing the window washing work at the atrium were
exposed to
possible serious injuries or death from falls of up to 121 feet to the
atrium floor.
One feasible means of abatement would be to ensure that all aspects of the
ANSI/IWCA
I-14.1-2001 Window Cleaning Safety standard are followed.