OSHA Inspection: NORTH STAR WINDOW CLEANING

Issued

2012-12-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that an employee was exposed to a fall hazard while washing exterior windows on a multi-story building.      (a) North Star Window Cleaning, 390 University of Colorado Boulder Campus, Boulder, CO: On or about 8-16-2012 the anchorage used for a personal fall arrest system and rope descent system (RDS) was improperly secured exposing an employee to a fall hazard. The personal fall arrest system and rope descent system (RDS) was attached to 260 pounds of free standing weights.  Condition exposed an employee to a fall hazard up to 11 stories while washing windows on the exterior on the building.     (b) The structural integrity of the personal fall arrest system and the rope descent system was compromised in that both rested on a nonstructural member (window frame) of the building while in use. As a result, a substantial shockload would be realized should the window frame fail.   Condition exposed an employee to a fall hazard of up to 11 stories while washing the exterior windows on the building.      Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Abatement-Certification Letter).