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 fall hazards: a) Penn Center House, Southwest End - An employee was using one rope, doubled over, for use as both the primary support system and for the personal fall arrest system. b) Penn Center House, South Side - An employee washing windows was exposed to falls up to two hundred (200) feet. The employee was using one rope, doubled over, for use as both the primary support system and the personal fall arrest system. Observed 11/29/99. c) Penn Center House, Southeast Side - An employee engaged in washing windows was exposed to falls up to two hundred (200) feet. The employee was using one rope, doubled over, for use as both the primary support system and for the personal fall arrest system. Observed 11/29/99. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, four feasible or accepted methods of abatement to correct the hazards are: 1) before utilizing the system, employees must be trained in and familiar with proper rigging practices, limitations and required safety precautions, 2) use of a separate fall arrest system and anchorage which are completely independent of the friction device, 3) the components of such systems must be inspected before they are utilized and 4) ensure that ropes are effectively padded where they contact edges of the anchorage or other surfaces which might cut or weaken the rope. NOTE: ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREDATION