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 potential injuries from: (1) elevator collapse and/or (2) falls from unguarded floor area and elevator platforms: a) Hand operated elevator was not installed in accordance with American National Standard Safety Code For Elevators (ANSI A17. 1-1960 Note: See appropriate rule noted below): 1) Safeties to prevent car free-fall were not fully operational. Safeties shall consist of devices attached to the car which applies pressure to the guide rails upon suspension rope failure and manually operated brake. Both braking systems must be capable of stopping and sustaining the car rated load (see Rule 602.1). 2) Elevator car was not enclosed. Car was open on the top and entrance/exit sides. (see Rule 601.1). 3) A capacity plate was not on the elevator stating: (1) Rated loads in pounds; (2) maximum number of passengers to be carried; and (3) appropriate suspension data (see Rule 603.1b) 4) The wooden guide rails were damaged and out of aligment (see Rule 605.1). 5) The wooden guide rails at the ground floor area could not adequately withstand the application of the car safety devices, due to the imperfections in the rails (see Rule 605.2b). 6) A single wire rope was used to hoist car. The maximum number of wire ropes shall not be less than two (see Rule 610.1). Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is: 1) Make all necessary repairs to bring elevator up to standards for latest year where hand operator elevators were addressed (A17.16- 1960); or 2) Replace with elevator meeting current A17.1 series or with a man-lift meeting the current requirements of 29 CFR 1910.68 (ANSI A90.1). NOTE: Interim abatement action-Remove from service and use ladders for accessing various floor levels.