OSHA Inspection: LWC SERVICES INC.

Issued

Jul 8, 2011

Abate by

Sep 1, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $3,200 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 when working on or around suspended window
cleaning equipment:
a) Jobsite: Steinberg Conference Center at 255 S. 38th Street,
Philadelphia. An employee
was not trained in the use and care of rope descent systems before he was
permitted to
use such equipment. On or about 03/02/2011.
b) Jobsite: Steinberg Conference Center at 255 S. 38th Street,
Philadelphia. An
employee using a rope descent system was not safely secured to an
independent
fall arrest system. On or about 03/02/2011.
c) Jobsite: Steinberg Conference Center at 255 S. 38th Street,
Philadelphia. The
employee did not have available at the jobsite at least one other
co-worker equally
proficient in the use of the rope descent system and rescue procedures. On
or
about 03/02/2011.
d) Jobsite: Steinberg Conference Center at 255 S. 38th Street,
Philadelphia.
Portable support devices were not inspected by a competent person before,
during
and after daily use. On or about 03/02/2011.
e) Jobsite: Steinberg Conference Center at 255 S. 38th Street,
Philadelphia.
Portable support devices were not tied-back to a certified anchorage on the
building with a rope equivalent in strength to the suspension rope. On or
about
03/02/2011.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would
be to comply with the guidelines outlined in the American National
Standards
Institute/International Window Cleaning Association (ANSI/IWCA) I-14.1-2001
"Window Cleaning Safety" which includes, among other requirements, the
following:
a) 5.7.2 Employees shall be trained in the use and care of rope
descent systems before they are permitted to use such equipment.
b) 5.7.6 Operators of rope descent systems shall utilize and be
safely secured to an independent fall arrest system.
c) 5.7.11 Anyone using a rope descent system, should have
available at the jobsite at least one other co-worker equally
proficient in the use of the system and rescue procedures.
d) 5.7.17(b) Portable support devices shall be inspected by a
competent person before, during and after daily use.
e) 5.7.17(c) Portable support devices shall be tied-back to a
certified anchorage on the building with a rope equivalent in
strength to the suspension line.
NOTE: ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED.