Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: FALLING

Title 40.1-51.1.(a), Code of Virginia: At the Springfield Hilton Hotel operated by Coakley Williams Hotel Management, February 13, 2005, 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 of 30 or more feet when an employee stuck in an elevator between floors was killed when she jumped out of the elevator, lost her balance on the landing, and fell down through the opening in the elevator shaft. A housekeeping employee was riding a service elevator which malfunctioned and became stuck between the 3rd and 4th floors of the hotel. The housekeeping supervisor and manager on duty were informed that an employee was stuck in the elevator, and a maintenance employee was dispatched to check on the elevator, but apparently was not informed that the elevator was occupied. When the maintenance employee began to open the elevator doors, the housekeeping employee, who apparently was in a panicked state, jumped through the opening, lost her balance at the landing and fell to the bottom of the elevator shaft, suffering fatal injuries. The manager on duty did not respond to the scene to assure that rescue procedures were followed, did not notify the elevator maintenance company or the fire department of the emergency, did not notify the hotels Security Department so that they could assist with the emergency, and did not stay in communication with the occupant of the elevator to keep them advised of the actions being taken. Company procedures for responding to elevator malfunctions and emergencies were immediately available at the front desk in a red binder. After dispatching the maintenance employee, the Manager on Duty left the work area. One feasible and acceptable method, among others, to correct this hazard is for the employer to implement and re-train employees and supervisory personnel on existing work rules for elevator malfunctions and emergencies which include the following: Elevator Malfunction Procedures I. General procedures Both the manager on duty and the engineer will immediately proceed to the location of the elevator, to determine if there are any occupants in the malfunctioning car. II. Emergency Procedures- Occupied Malfunctioning Elevator CAUTION: Where a condition prevails that guests or personnel are trapped in a stalled elevator cab, NO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THESE PEOPLE SHALL BE MADE BY HOTEL PERSONNEL UNTIL THEY HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF AN ELEVATOR MECHANIC OR FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. Manager on Duty directs Telephone Operator to notify the elevator maintenance company of the emergency. The operator will next advise the Security Department. A Security person will come to the location of the elevator emergency, assist with the emergency, and stay until the occupants are removed. The MANAGER ON DUTY will stay in constant communication with any occupants of the stalled elevator to keep them advised of the action being taken.