Source: http://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/windowcleaning.html
Timestamp: 2018-03-20 00:05:47
Document Index: 364258131

Matched Legal Cases: ['§3281', '§3284', '§3285', '§3287', '§3291', 'art 2', '§3293', 'art 2']

CHAPTER 4, SUBCHAPTER 7, ARTICLES 5 AND 6,
SECTIONS 3281, 3284, 3285, 3286, 3287, 3291, 3293 AND APPENDIX C TO ARTICLE 6;
Amend Section 3281 to read:
§3281. Definitions.
Personal Fall Arrest System. A system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level. It consists of: an anchorage, connectors, a body belt or body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, safety line, or suitable combinations of these.
Terminal Strap (Runner). The portion of a window cleaners belt that attaches the terminals to the belts waist band.
Amend Section 3284 to read:
§3284. Window Cleaner's Belts, Safety Belts, Harnesses and Other Attachments Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Personal Fall Restraint Systems and Positioning Devices.
(a) Window Cleaner's Belts.
Safety Window cleaners belts shall be approved and kept in good repair and visually inspected for defects prior to each use. They shall be inspected at least twice a year by the employer and all parts showing defects or excessive wear shall be promptly replaced. The use of natural fiber or canvas terminal straps (runners) is prohibited.
(A) Each belt shall be numbered or given an identifying mark, and a record kept showing date of purchase, dates when terminal rope straps were renewed, and dated when entire belt assembly was inspected.
(B) Window cleaners using a window cleaner's belt shall attach one belt terminal to an anchor before stepping out onto the sill. During the operation of window cleaning, both belt terminals shall be attached to the anchors.
(C) The fittings on the waistband through which the terminal strap or rope passes, shall be so constructed that it will be impossible for the safety terminal to pass through them.
(D) Metal thimbles, or equivalent, shall be provided where ropes or straps are secured to eyes or rings.
(2) Belt Design.
(A) All window cleaner's belts shall have a durable label stating that the belt meets the design and testing requirements of be designed, built and labeled to conform to ANSI/ASME A39.1-1991 1995, Safety Requirements for Window Cleaning which is hereby incorporated by reference. The durable label shall be permanently attached to the belt and include at least the following information:
1. Name or designation of manufacturer.
2. Model designation.
3. Date manufactured.
5. Test Specifications.
(B) In no case shall load carrying members be constructed of leather.
NOTE: It is not the intent of this regulation to prohibit the use of window cleaner's belts that meet the requirements of ANSI A39.1-1969, or 1987, or 1991 and are so labeled.
(c) All personal fall arrest systems, personal fall restraint systems and positioning devices used in window cleaning operations shall comply with Section 1670 of the Construction Safety Orders.
Amend Section 3285 to read:
§3285. Suspended Scaffolds.
Use and Application. Suspended transportable scaffolds shall comply with the applicable provisions of Article 23 of the Construction Safety Orders, and permanent scaffolds shall be installed as required by Article 6 of the General Industry Safety Orders.
(c) When on a working platform, eEach window cleaner shall secure their lanyard to an independent vertical safety line or a horizontal safety line (dog line) by means of a rope grab or other descent control device acceptable to the Division. The safety line shall be secured to a fixed anchorage on the roof separate from the rest of the scaffold rigging. (See Article 6, Appendix C.) shall be protected by a personal fall arrest system meeting the requirements of Article 6, Appendix C, Section I of the General Industry Safety Orders, and as otherwise provided by these orders.
Amend Section 3286 to read:
(4) Employees using boatswain's chairs or CDAs shall wear full body harnesses as part of their personal fall arrest systems be provided, and instructed in the use of, a personal fall arrest system meeting the requirements of Article 6, Appendix C, Section I of the General Industry Safety Orders, and as otherwise provided by these orders. Each employee's fall arrest system shall be secured to an independent safety line attached to an approved anchorage.
Amend Section 3287 to read:
§3287. Ladders.
(12)(A) No employee shall be permitted to stand on or work from the top 3 rungs of any a ladder unless there are structural members that provide a firm handhold or the worker employee is protected from falling by an approved safety belt or other equivalent means a personal fall protection system (e.g., positioning device or fall restraint system) in accordance with the requirements of Section 1670 of the Construction Safety Orders.
(B) Stepladders. Employees shall not stand on the topcap or the step below the topcap of a stepladder.
NOTE: Tops of self supporting ladders shall not be considered as a rung.
Amend Section 3291 to read:
§3291. Special Design Considerations -- Permanent Roof Top Installations.
(c) Roof Davit Systems.
Roof davit systems specifically shall comply with applicable provisions of Article 6 and the following:
(1) Each davit shall be provided with a securely affixed, durable and readily visible metal plate bearing the following information in letters at least 1/4-inch in height:
(A) The davit's rated load, based upon a safety factor of 4.
(B) Manufacturer's name.
(C) Precautionary warning message prohibiting use of the davit within 10 feet of high-voltage lines.
(2) Provisions shall be made to easily rotate davits while on the scaffold platform or boatswain's chair unless the platform may be safely repositioned inboard or outboard without the necessity for personnel to stand on unguarded roofs or ledges unless protected by an approved safety belt or the equivalent a personal fall restraint system complying with the requirements of Section 1670 of the Construction Safety Orders.
(3) Portable davit systems shall comply with the applicable provisions of Article 6. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 2-8505(c).)
Amend Section 3293 to read:
§3293. Definitions.
Definitions for certain terms used in Article 6 and Appendixes A through C are located in Article 1, Section 3207 and Article 5, Section 3281. Definitions for the terms used in Appendix D are located in Appendix D and only apply to Appendix D. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 2-8250(c).)
Amend Appendix C to Article 6, Section I to read:
(Sections I and II Mandatory);
(Section III Non-Mandatory).
Section I of Appendix C sets out the criteria for personal fall arrest systems used by all employees using powered platforms, as required by Section 3299. Section II sets out test procedures which shall be used to determine compliance with applicable requirements contained in Section I of this Appendix. Section III provides non-mandatory guidelines which are intended to assist employers in complying with these provisions.
I. Personal Fall Arrest Systems.
(a) Scope and Application. This section establishes the application of, and performance criteria for, personal fall arrest systems which are required for use by all employees using powered platforms under Article 6.
(b) Definitions. Definitions that apply to terms used in Appendix C are located in Article 1, Section 3207 and Article 5, Section 3281.
(c) Design for System Components.
(10) Anchorages to which personal fall arrest equipment is attached shall be capable of supporting at least 5,400 5000 pounds per employee attached, or shall be designed under the supervision of a professional engineer currently registered in the State of California and installed and used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two.
(11) Ropes and straps (webbing) used in lanyards, safety lines, and strength components of body belts and body harnesses, shall be made from synthetic fibers or wire rope.
(12) All body harnesses and lanyards manufactured on or before January 1, 1998, shall be designed and built to conform to ANSI A10.14-1975, Requirements for Safety Belts, Harnesses, Lanyards, Lifelines and Drop Lines for Construction and Industrial Use, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
(13) All personal fall arrest, personal fall restraint and positioning device systems manufactured after January 1, 1998, shall be designed and built to conform to either ANSI A10.14-1991 American National Standard for Construction and Demolition Use, or ANSI Z359.1-1992 American National Standard Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
(d) System Performance Criteria.
(1) Personal fall arrest systems shall, when stopping a fall:
(A) Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds when used with a body belt;
(A)(B) Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness;
(B)(C) Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet; and
(C)(D) Shall hHave sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of six feet, or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.
(2)(A) When used by employees having a combined person and tool weight of less than 310 pounds, personal fall arrest systems which meet the criteria and protocols contained in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) in Section II of this Appendix shall be considered as complying with the provisions of subparagraphs (d)(1)(A) through (d)(1)(DC) above.
(B) When used by employees having a combined tool and body weight of 310 pounds or more, personal fall arrest systems which meet the criteria and protocols contained in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) in Section II may be considered as complying with the provisions of subparagraphs (d)(1)(A) through (d)(1)(DC), provided that the criteria and protocols are modified appropriately to provide proper protection for such heavier weights.
(e) Care and Use.
(1) Body belts shall not be used as part of a personal fall arrest system.
(2)(1) Devices used to connect to a horizontal safety line which may become a vertical safety line shall be capable of locking in either direction on the safety line.
(3)(2) Personal fall arrest systems shall be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than six feet, nor contact any lower level obstacle.
(4)(3) The attachment point of the body belt shall be located in the center of the wearer's back. The attachment point of the body harness shall be located in the center of the wearer's back near shoulder level or above the wearer's head.
(5)(4) When vertical safety lines are used, each employee shall be provided with a separate safety line.
(6)(5) Personal fall arrest systems or components shall be used only for employee fall protection.
(7)(6) Personal fall arrest systems or components subjected to impact loading shall be immediately removed from service and shall not be used again for employee protection until repaired or replaced. Repaired or replaced components or component parts shall meet the performance and testing requirements of this appendix.
(8)(7) The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure the self-rescue capability of employees.
(9)(8) Before using a personal fall arrest system, and after any component or system is changed, employees shall be trained in accordance with the requirements of Section 3298 in the safe use of the system.
(f) Inspections.
(1) Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for mildew, wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service if their strength or function may be adversely affected.
(2) Each personal fall arrest system shall be inspected not less than twice annually by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. The date of each inspection shall be documented.
Amend Appendix C to Article 6, Section II, to read:
II. Test Methods for Personal Fall Arrest Systems.
(a) General. Paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section II set forth test procedures which shall be used to determine compliance with requirements in subparagraphs (d)(1)(A) through (d)(1)(DC) of Section I of this Appendix.
(b) General conditions for all tests in Section II.
(1) Safety lines, lanyards and deceleration devices shall be attached to an anchorage and connected to the body-belt or body harness in the same manner as they would be when used to protect employees.
(c) Strength Test.
(3) For lanyard systems, the lanyard length shall be six feet plus or minus two inches as measured from the fixed anchorage to the attachment on the body belt or body harness.
(d) Force Test.
(1) General. The test consists of dropping the respective test weight specified in subsection in (d)(2)(A) or (d)(3)(A) once. A new, unused system shall be used for each test.
(2) For lanyard systems.
(A) A test weight of 220 pounds plus or minus three pounds shall be used. (See subparagraph (b)(4), above.)
(B) Lanyard length shall be six feet plus or minus two inches as measured from the fixed anchorage to the attachment on the body belt or body harness.
(C) The test weight shall fall free from the anchorage level to its hanging location (a total of six feet free fall distance) without interference, obstruction, or hitting the floor or ground during the test.
(3) For all other systems.
(B) The free fall distance to be used in the test shall be the maximum fall distance physically permitted by the system during normal use conditions, up to a maximum free fall distance for the test weight of six feet, except as follows:
1. For deceleration systems which have a connection link or lanyard, the test weight shall free fall a distance equal to the connection distance (measured between the centerline of the safety line and the attachment point to the body belt or harness).
2. For deceleration device systems with integral safety lines or lanyards which automatically limit free fall distance to two feet or less, the test weight shall free fall a distance equal to that permitted by the system in normal use. (For example, to test a system with a self-retracting safety line or lanyard, the test weight shall be supported and the system allowed to retract the safety line of or lanyard as it would in normal use. The test weight would then be released and the force and deceleration distance measured).
(4) A system fails the force test if the recorded maximum arresting force exceeds 1,260 pounds when using a body belt, and/or exceeds 2,520 pounds when using a body harness.
(5) The maximum elongation and deceleration distance shall be recorded during the force test.
Amend Appendix C to Article 6, Section III, to read:
III. Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Personal Fall Arrest Systems. The following information constitutes additional guidelines for use in complying with requirements for a personal fall arrest system.
(c) Component Compatibility Considerations. Ideally, a personal fall arrest system is designed, tested, and supplied as a complete system. However, it is common practice for lanyards, connectors, safety lines, deceleration devices, body belts and body harnesses to be interchanged since some components wear out before others. The employer and employee should realize that not all components are interchangeable. For instance, a lanyard should not be connected between a body belt (or harness) and a deceleration device of the self-retracting type since this can result in additional free fall for which the system was not designed. Any substitution or chance change to a personal fall arrest system should be fully evaluated or tested by a qualified person to determine that it meets the standard, before the modified system is put in use.
(e) Instruction Considerations. Employers should obtain comprehensive instructions from the supplier as to the system's proper use and application, including, where applicable:
(1) The force measured during the sample force test;
(2) The maximum elongation measured for lanyards during the force test;
(3) The deceleration distance measured for deceleration devices during the force test;
(4) Caution statements on critical use limitations;
(5) Application limits;
(6) Proper hook-up, anchoring and tie-off techniques, including the proper dee-ring or other attachment point to use on the body belt and harness for fall arrest;
(7) Proper climbing techniques;
(8) Methods of inspection, use, cleaning, and storage; and
(9) Specific safety lines which may be used.
This information should be provided to employees during training.
(j) Free Fall Considerations. The employer and employee should at all times be aware that a system's maximum arresting force is evaluated under normal use conditions established by the manufacturer, and in no case using a free fall distance in excess of six feet. A few extra feet of free fall can significantly increase the arresting force on the employee, possibly to the point of causing injury. Because of this, the free fall distance should be kept at a minimum, and, as required by the standard, in no case greater than six feet. To help assure this, the tie-off attachment point to the safety line or anchor should be located at or above the connection point of the fall arrest equipment to belt or the body harness. (Since otherwise additional free fall distance is added to the length of the connecting means (i.e. lanyard)). Attaching to the working surface will often result in a free fall greater than six feet. For instance, if a six foot lanyard is used, the total free fall distance will be the distance from the working level to the body belt (or harness attachment jpoint plus the six feet of lanyard length. Another important consideration is that the arresting force which the fall system must withstand also goes up with greater distance of free fall, possibly exceeding the strength of the system.)
(l) Obstruction Considerations. The location of the tie-off should also consider the hazard of obstructions in the potential fall path of the employee. Tie-offs which minimize the possibilities of exaggerated swinging should be considered. In addition, when a body belt is used, the employee's body will go through a horizontal position to a jack-knifed position during the arrest of all falls. Thus, obstructions which might interfere with this motion should be avoided or a sever injury could occur.