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 the hazard of falling while utilizing a descent control device to wash windows: (a) Location - 52 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA: On or about 07/20/2001, an employee was working from a "Sky Genie" seatboard utilizing a descent control device called a "Rack". The unit was hung from a single 5/8 inch nylon braided rope that was placed directly over the edge of a 24" parapet wall. The rope was looped around a four inch diameter galvanized pipe approximately sixteen inches high with no projections. (b) Location - 52 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA: On or about 07/16/2001 and 07/20/2001, an employee was working from a "Sky Genie" seatboard utilizing a descent control device called a "Rack". The unit was hung from a single 5/8 inch nylon braided rope that was tied back to a "Bosuns Mate" outrigger beam. The life line the employee was utilizing was tied back to the outrigger. Among other means, Feasible means of abatement would be to : 1) Train employees in the use of Sky Genie Seatboard and descent devices including, but not limited to, the "Rack" and the "Bosuns Mate". 2) Inspect rope, descent equipment, and Sky Genie Seatboard each day before use; and 3) Ensure proper rigging, including sound anchorages and tie backs, in all cases with particular emphasis on providing tiebacks when outrigger beams along with counterweights or cornice hooks, or similar non permanent anchorage systems are used; and 4) Ensure that all lines installed, (with knots, swages, eye splices, or similar methods with rigging descent control devices), are capable of sustaining the tensile loads imposed. A tensile load strength of 5000 pounds is considered adequate; and 5) Ensure all ropes are effectively padded where they contact edges of the building, anchorage, obstructions, or other surfaces which might cut or weaken the rope;and 6) Ensure a separate personal fall arrest system is used, such as a full body harness, rope grab or a similar device with lifeline anchorage points independent of the friction device, support seat (or harness), support line or anchorage system so that any failure of the system will not effect the ability of the fall arrest system to operate and quickly stop the employees fall.yees