Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: FALLING

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 falls from a height of 6 feet or more due to lack of instruction, supervision and improper window cleaning methods, in that available safety belts and window anchors were not used: a) 4th floor, outside window ledge, front of Mobile infirmary. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to establish and enforce window cleaning procedures such as that stipulated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Safety Requirements for Windwo Cleaning. Essential elements from ANSI A39.1s-1988 and ASME A39.1-1987 would include: a) ANSI 3.3 and ASME 3.3 - Employers shall instruct their window cleaning employees in the proper use of all equipment provided to them and shall supervise the use of the equipment and devices to insure that safe working practices are observed. b) ANSI 4.3.1 and ASME 4.3.1 - only employees who have been adequately instructed in the proper use of safety belts and anchors shall be permitted to clean windows by this method. c) ANSI 4.4 and ASME 4.4 - The window cleaner shall use the safety equipment provided and shall follow the instructions stated in 4.4.2.