OSHA Inspection: R.T. CLEANING WINDOW CORP.

Issued

Apr 25, 2011

Abate by

May 5, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $3,150 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.
Site: 250 West 50th Street New York, NY
On or about 2/16/11
a)A window cleaner was observed cleaning the window from the window sill
without fall protection. The employee was exposed to falling from the 14th
floor
to the sidewalk.
Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to
correct this
hazard is to:
1)Clean exterior surfaces of the window from inside the building
(apartment) when
employee's feet are firmly on the floor and when height of the sill
prevents the
employee from falling through the window opening. If an extension cleaning
pole
is used, train employees in the proper inspection, assembly and usage in
accordance with International Window Cleaning Association, ANSI / IWAC - I
14.1-2001, section 5.1 and 5.10.
2)If working from the floor surface is not practical to clean the window,
protect the
employee from falling through the window opening by utilizing a personal
restraint system, such as, but not limited to a body belt with its lanyard
attached
to a secure point of anchorage, in accordance with ANSI / IWCA -
I14.1-2001,
section 3.8, Fall protection and section 9.2.2 and 9.2.3.
3)Train and instruct all employees in all safe working procedures and
proper use
of safety equipment, as referenced in ANSI / IWCA I-14.1-2001, section 3.3
and
3.4.
NOTE: BECAUSE ABATEMENT OF THIS VIOLATION IS ALREADY DOCUMENTED
IN THE CASEFILE, THE EMPLOYER NEED NOT SUBMIT CERTIFICATION NOR
DOCUMENTATION OF ABATEMENT OF THIS VIOLATION AS NORMALLY
REQUIRED BY 29 CFR 1903.19.