OSHA Inspection: JAMES G. SANDERS INC.

Issued

Oct 21, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 for likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fall hazards, crushing hazards, and struck-by hazards resulting from an improperly rigged, anchored and/or operated outrigger beam suspension unit in such operations.     (a) Location ? South Main Street, Concord, NH, 03301, On 8/19/2013, employees' washing windows while suspended from an improperly rigged, anchored and/or operated Roof Rollers on the building's flat roof top was exposed to a struck-by hazard when the Roof Rollers were not tied back to an anchorage point on the building, as per the manufacturer's instructions and ANSI/IWCA STD I-14.1-2001. * A Roof Roller was not equipped with sufficient weight in counterweights to provide for minimum weight and stability factors, e.g. the 4 to 1 safety ratio set forth in ANSI/IWCA STD I-14.1-2001 (or otherwise established in the manufacturer's instructions) regarding static position use and horizontal traveling position use. * The employee tending the Roof Roller had little or no on-the-job training in setting up, rigging, anchoring or using the Roof Roller, contrary to ANSI/IWCA STD I-1.1-2001. * Horizontal movement of the employee suspended from the Roof Roller occurred despite the absence of the requisite 4 to 1 safety ratio for stability in the Roof Roller as assembled and the absence of mandatory independent anchorage for the Roof Roller and the safety line as set forth in ANSI/IWCA STD I-1.1-2001. * No hazard assessment was performed prior to the start of the work. * No on-site inspection was performed prior to the start of the work. * No manufacturer's instructions were provided to the employee tending the Roof Roller, contrary to ANSI/IWCA STD I-14.1-2001.      Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard include but are not limited to: 1) Conduct comprehensive, effective hands-on training and testing, repeated periodically, to ensure that each employee engaged in window washing operations safely and properly rigs, anchors and operates the Roof Roller and any other outrigger beam suspension units used in such operations. (s). Do not permit employees to engage in window washing operations with outrigger beam suspension units until they have completed such training and testing in a satisfactory manner. 2) When scheduling work to be performed, ensure that a competent person conducts a full and complete on-site inspection and hazard assessment for the rigging, anchoring and operation of outrigger beam suspension units to be used in the window washing operation. 3) Ensure that warning signs are placed on equipment.  4) Ensure that outrigger beam suspension units such as the Roof Roller are assembled according to the manufacturers' instructions and provide a minimum 4 to 1 safety ratio on each worksite as set forth in ANSI/IWCA STD I-14.1-2001. By way of example this includes but is not limited to ensuring that: (a) the front wheels of the Roof Roller - which serve as the fulcrum point of the outrigger beam - are properly positioned along the beam and also that they are properly installed with respect to the vertical positioning bolts, with regard to the job needs at each worksite; and (b) sufficient weight in counterweights is calculated -- with due regard for the fulcrum point and the safety ratio -- then installed on the Roof Roller. 5) Ensure that outrigger beam suspension units such as the Roof Roller are anchored & tied back to a secure anchorage point on the building at all times when in use as required by ANSI/IWCA STD I-14.1-2001 and the manufacturer's instructions 6) Assign a competent person to each job site and ensure that (s)he inspects the set up, rigging, anchorage, counterweights and all aspects of the Roof Roller &/or any other outrigger beam suspension unit prior to and during each use.

Issued

Oct 21, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 for likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to   fall hazards resulting from improperly rigged &/or anchored personal fall protection equipment and an improperly anchored Rope Descent System & Boatswan Chair system.     (a) Location South Main Street, Concord, NH, 03301: On or about 8/19/2013, an employee washing windows while suspended in a Sky Genie Descent Control chair and wearing a body belt with an attached lifeline was exposed to a fall hazard of up to 41 feet. A single 1/2 inch Kernmantle rope was used as both the Rope Descent System & Boastwain chair support line and the body belt life line. This single rope line was connected to a single anchorage point on the unanchored roof roller.     (b) Location South Main Street, Concord, NH, 03301: On or about 8/19/2013, an employee washing windows while suspended in a Rope Descent System & Boatswain chair and wearing a Full Body Harness with an attached lifeline was exposed to a fall hazard of up to 41 feet. A single 1/2 inch Kernmantle rope was used as both the Descent Control chair support line and the body belt life line. This single rope line was connected to a single anchorage point on the inadequately anchored Roof Roller.     Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard include but are not limited to: 1) Conduct comprehensive, effective hands-on training and testing, repeated periodically, to ensure that each employee engaged in window washing operations understands and uses the safe working practices applicable to his work and his equipment, including but not limited to: * use of independent ropes for his life line and for his support equipment such as the descent chair; * use of independent anchorage points for his life line and for his support equipment such as the descent chair; and * use of the support equipment such as the descent chair and the fall protection systems in accord with the manufacturer's instructions and ANSI/IWCA I 14.1 2001, especially with regard to warnings and design limitations. Such training shall be conducted in employees' native language(s). Do not permit employees to engage in window washing operations until they have completed such training and testing in a satisfactory manner. 2) When scheduling work to be performed, ensure that a competent person conducts a complete and comprehensive on-site hazard assessment to ensure: * that all necessary equipment and personal fall protection equipment is listed and brought to the site, including a sufficient number of ropes for life lines and equipment support lines; * that there are sufficient independent anchorage points for personal fall protection life lines and equipment support lines; * that each anchorage point to be used for such life lines is independent and capable of holding a 5000 lb load; and * that each anchorage point to be used for life lines will not be used simultaneously to support equipment. A competent person is defined as a person who is capable of identifying existing

Issued

Oct 21, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet (1.22 m) or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v)), on all open sides:    (a) Roof - Employees were exposed to a fall hazard of up to 41 feet while at the roofs edge without adequate fall protection.

Issued

Oct 21, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protective equipment:    (a) Roof - Employees were not trained in the proper use and rigging of fall protection equipment.