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 employmnent 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: the hazard of falling to the ground from approximately 70 feet. Location:540 White Plains Road, Tarrytown. East side of building. On or about 09/25/99 a) Window washer/cleaner was not provided with a descent control device / equipment designed to be used for window cleaning or the use of devices that are designed for both window cleaning and emergency descent provided that these devices are used in accordance with safety principles applicable to similar equipment (in this case, boatswain's chairs, single-point and two- point suspended scaffolds) and national consensus standards (such as ANSI A39.1-1987, with addenda A through C, "Safety Requirements for Window Cleaning"). ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and accepted abatement method to correct this hazard is to: a) Implement all the following procedures and precautions for employees who use descent control devices: 1. Train employees in the use of the equipment before it is used; 2. Inspect equipment each day before use; 3. Proper rigging, including sound anchorages and tiebacks, in all cases, with particular emphasis on providing tiebacks when counterweights, cornice hooks, or similar non-permanent anchorage systems are used; 4. Use of a separate fall arrest system (including bodybelt, sit harness, or full bady harness; rope grab or similar device; lifeline; and anchorage (all of which are completely independent of the friction device and its support system), so that any failure in a friction device, support seat (or harness), support line, or anchorage system will not affect the ability of the fall arrest system to operate and quickly stop the employee"s fall; 5. All lines installed (such as by using knots, swags or eye splices) when rigging descent control devices shall be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds. 6. Provisions are made for rescue; 7. Ropes are effectively padded where they contact edges of the building, anchorage, obstructions, or other surfaces which might cut or weaken teh tope; 8. Provisions are made for intermittent stabilization for descent in excess of 130 feet. NOTE: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.