OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Issued

2000-01-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2000-01-11 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $4900.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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)On or before July 8, 1999 in room number 1222.  A window washer, who was
cleaning a double hung tilting window, was exposed to falling through a
12th
story window opening that was 47 inches high and 49 inches wide.  The
opening,
which was located approximately 3 inches above a 32 inch high radiator
cover on
which the employee was standing, was created by the lower window being
raised
to the upper end of the frame track for the purpose of cleaning its inner
surface.
ABATEMENT NOTE:
Among others, a feasible method to eliminate or to materially reduce this
hazard
would be to clean the inner surface of the lower window when it is closed
and
with the employee standing on the floor.  All employees need to be
trained/informed of this procedure.