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 falling up to approximately 37 feet down unprotected elevator shaft: a)First floor and basement levels of freight elevators on site at 1270 Avenue of the Americas. Employees were exposed to falling approximately 37 feet down unprotected elevator shafts due to failure of the employer to provide elevator parking devices to assure that the elevator doors could not open if the elevator was not present on that floor, on or about 3-30-99. One feasible method of abatement would be to install elevator parking devices on all elevator landings where the elevator shaft door can be opened from outside the shaft, along with training employees in the proper function of these devices, as per ANSI-ASME A17.3 1996, 2.7- Elevator Door Locking Devices, Parking Devices, and Access.,