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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees 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 hazard and to the hazard of being caught or struck by a moving elevator: a) The employer uses a freight elevator to bring automobiles from the ground floor auto body repair shop up to floors 2 through 5. The elevator door safety switches (door interlocks) were disabled, allowing the elevator to run with the elevator shaft doors open. Employees can be caught or struck by the elevator if it begins to move while they are getting on or off the elevator. b) The elevator car enclosure gate was missing. Employees riding in the elevator can be caught or crushed between the moving elevator and the elevator shaft walls or door frames. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS to comply with elevator industry standard ANSI A17.3-2002, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators: Section 1.5 required inspections, tests, and maintenance. Section 2.6.1, 2.7.1, 3.4.2 requires elevator shaft doors and the elevator car gate to have interlock safeties switches to prevent the elevator from moving when the car gate or any shaft doors are open. Section 3.4.1 requires the elevator car to have a car enclosure gate to prevent passengers from being caught/ crushed between the moving elevator car and the elevator shaft walls and doorways. NOTE: THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION FOR THIS ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19. Location: 540 West 38th Street, New York, N.Y. On or about 11/28/2012