No Fall Company Safety Blog

Cutting Corners on Safety Could Cost You Dearly

2010-06-08T18:28:00.004-04:00

Allegedly BP was cost-cutting and risk-taking, in order to boost oil production output therefore reaping more profits than would otherwise be possible. BP's risk assessment failed to "see" the true extent of what would happen if certain scenarios occured, or if it did see the catastrophic scenario, BP assigned an extremely low probability of occurance and/or they weighed the impact of the

Finally! OSHA Consolidates and Harmonizes Regulations

2010-05-24T10:34:00.001-04:00

OSHA has proposed changing the 29 CFR Part 1910 Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) regulations this year. These changes will drastically impact the way employers provide safety to workers. Refer to Federal Register of May 24, 2010 for the proposed new rules: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10418.pdf. This document is extremely

Odd But True: OSHA Fines the U.S. Postal Service for Willful Violations at $210,000

2010-05-11T06:57:00.000-04:00

Apparently, no one, and no organization, is immune from OSHA’s watchful eye … US Labor Department's OSHA fines US Postal Service processing center in Bedford Park, Ill., $210,000 for willful safety violations http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=17655

"Remember the dead - Fight for the living"

2010-04-28T17:25:00.006-04:00

We feel this awareness in Nevada is a step in the right direction! Workers Memorial Day... "Remember the dead - Fight for the living." FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Andrew Stoddard Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Phone: 202-225-3252 http://www.titus.house.gov/ Titus Commemorates Workers Memorial Day Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada's Third District spoke on the House

OSHA Increasing Fines and Penalties SIGNIFICANTLY!

2010-04-26T10:24:00.002-04:00

The days of "playing the numbers game" with fatalities in the workplace vs. fines or worse, litigation and settlements and insurance premiums is coming to an end ... the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) is coming to town. Willful violations will start at $250,000 and go up from there ... "The current maximum penalty for a serious violation, one capable of causing death or serious

Know Your Worker Rights Under the OSHA Act of 1970

2010-04-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

You do not need to work under unsafe conditions. You do not need to be forced to put your own life in danger of serious injury or death. You have a right to come home to your families every day after work. You have a right to refuse to work where there is emminent risk of injury or loss of life. You have a right to ask your employer to correct unsafe conditions, to fix violations, to ameliorate

With Fall Protection Safety: CAVEAT EMPTOR!

2010-04-13T15:42:00.002-04:00

This story is one repeated over and over again. We've seen it many times. Now we've decided to write about it. This is a very serious situation. Buyer Beware! Recently we visited a Class A office building in Florida on invitation of the new management company on behalf of the owners, to review the installation of an anchor system that another supplier had installed. The previous management

Diabetes Affects Everyone - Please Help

2010-02-25T17:43:00.009-05:00

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) http://www.diabetes.org/ is in the process of starting a movement to Stop Diabetes. On Tuesday, March 23, is the 22nd annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day. This is a one-day "wake up call" to let all Americans know about the seriousness of diabetes -- especially when left undiagnosed and untreated. You are encouraged to take the Diabetes Risk

H.R.2067 - Protecting America's Workers Act of 2009 (PAWA)

2010-02-20T08:16:00.002-05:00

Even though the statistics for 2008 appear to show improvement in worker safety, there is very important legislation being developed in the U.S. Congress, one is the Protecting America's Workers Act of 2009 (PAWA. Some highlights of the PAWA 2009:Raises penalties for fatalities from $70,000 to $120,000. Raises the baseline penalty from $7,000 to $12,000. Prohibits pay loss for inspections for

OSHA News Release, U.S. DOL; Construction Company Cited $70,000 for Lack of Fall Protection During Maintenance of Building Resulting in Fatal Fall

2010-02-17T09:09:00.002-05:00

Taken from http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=17163 US Labor Department's OSHA cites Pittsburgh construction company for lack of fall protection following worker's death PITTSBURGH -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mariani & Richards Inc. for failing to protect workers from falls on a

OSHA Releases Fall Statistics for 2008; GOOD NEWS!!!

2010-02-10T08:16:00.004-05:00

It is with amazement and great pleasure we present the statistics from OSHA including the year 2008, in the two tables below, from OSHA, along with our comments. Fatal falls nationwide FELL 20% from 847 in 2007 (the worst year on record) to 680 in 2008, a number not seen since 1995, fifteen (15) years ago! The fatality rate per 100,000 hours worked dropped by 10% overall since 2007. We don't

OSHA Releases Fall Statistics for 2008; Table 1 and Table 2

2010-02-10T07:40:00.003-05:00

Table 2Table 1

ANSI ASSE Z359 Standards of 2007 and 2009; Attempting to Help Reduce Fatal Fall Accidents

2010-02-04T16:16:00.003-05:00

Since around 1994 until now, all workplace fatalities have decreased about 12%. This number includes fatalities due to falls. Sounds good right? Work is getting safer, right?WRONG! In the same time period, fatalities due to FALLS HAVE INCREASED ABOUT 30%. In the USA about 750 people die in fatal fall accidents in the workplace every year. Since around 1994, OSHA has implemented many regulations,

The 2010 Earthquake of Haiti

2010-01-14T06:09:00.002-05:00

!!! PLEASE HELP VICTIMS OF THE MASSIVE JANUARY 12, 2010 EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI!!!Please Donate Nowwww.unicef.orgwww.care.orgwww.doctorswithoutborders.orgwww.redcross.orgAnd many other organizations here ... http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/For more information see the U.S. Department of State Official Blog ... http://blogs.state.gov/God Bless,David Kuketz

Seasons Greetings to All from No Fall Company

2009-12-23T10:07:00.001-05:00

We'd like to thank everyone for a great 2009 and wish you all our best Season's Greetings and a very Happy New Year! Kind Regards, David Kuketz, Manager No Fall Company, LLC

OSHA's Reports Working at Heights in Top Ten Violations for 2009 - Three (3) Times!

2009-12-22T15:01:00.000-05:00

OSHA recently reported the top three violations for 2009 - Scaffolding (over 9000 violations) - Fall Protection (nearly 7000 violations) - Ladders (over 3000 violations) A quick look at the 2009 citations by OSHA show penalties often in the tens of thousands and into the hundreds of thousands for such violations (http://www.osha.gov). The government

Fall Protection Violations Are Up and 2nd in top 10 Violations in 2009 So Far!

2009-11-02T09:11:00.005-05:00

A preliminary report issued by the National Safety Council shows 6,771 Fall Protection Violations in 2009 so far (as of October) and up about 30% since 2008. The report does not tally the dollar figure for the violations cited by OSHA, nor the litigation or settlement costs of any fall accidents for the same time period. See the report here: http://www.nsc.org/Pages/

OSHA Issues RECORD-BREAKING Fines to BP, More than $87,000,000!

2009-10-30T14:13:00.005-04:00

What is a life worth? What is safety worth? Well in this case, with the fines, legal fees, damage to reputation and good will, and actual costs incurred - it is measured in the $B's of dollars ... Taken from OSHA National News Release, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Office of Communications 09-1311-NAT Oct. 30, 2009 Contact: Diana Petterson Elizabeth Todd Phone: 202-693-1898 972-850-4710 US

BOMA Supports the ANSI / IWCA I-14.1

2009-10-28T10:05:00.002-04:00

BOMA (the International Building Owners and Managers Association) fully endorses and supports the ANSI / IWCA I-14.1 Window Cleaning Safety Standard, now a National Concensus Standard of OSHA, and used extensively for citations in support of fines, fees and also being used by attorneys to litigate accidents, negligence and risk issues.The full link (as of 2009, Oct 28) here: http://www.boma.org/

What is a Personal Fall Arrest System?

2009-10-28T07:00:00.001-04:00

Confused about what is a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) and more importantly, the rules for anchorage of PFAS? OSHA defines a PFAS in at least three separate documents: 1910.66 Appendix C (I) (b) [for General Industry] 1915.151(b) and 1915.159 [for Shipbuilding] 1926 Subpart M Appendix C [for Construction] OSHA's definitions are as follows, in the same order as above: "Personal fall

Types of Falls

2009-10-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

The most general type of falls involving buildings are "falls from roof". Another category, usually for new construction sites, is "falls from roof structural member".Falls from roof can be from "unprotected" walking surface, that is, no guard rail or no parapet wall of proper height. This is quite common, and can be easily avoided.There is another particular classification of falls, the "falls

Fall Statistics

2009-10-26T10:37:00.000-04:00

The source of this information is OSHA, the Department of Labor (DOL), or the Center for Disease Control (CDC):14% of all fall accidents are fatal.Since 1992 serious injuries and fatalities due to falls have been on the rise in spite of new regulations and better operations and practices.In 2006 there were 809 fall accident fatalities in the USA; from roofs, unprotected walks, ladders,

The OSHA "General Duty" Clause

2009-10-19T13:35:00.000-04:00

Each employer has a fiduciary responsibility for safety and safe working conditions.According to OSHA Act of 1970 // SEC. 5. Duties(a) Each employer -- (1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees; and (2) shall comply with occupational

OSHA Annual Inspection - Don't Forget to Inspect AND Keep Records!

2009-09-25T09:31:00.006-04:00

Don't forget your OSHA Annual Inspections of your roof anchors and engineered fall protection systems and window cleaning equipment - a competent person (qualified person) shall inspect roof anchors, davits, horizontal lifelines and other permanently installed fall protection and prevention and window cleaning equipment on buildings each and every year. See our post about the OSHA requirements

Fallacy of Fall Protection From Manually Rigged Horizontal Lines

2009-09-08T06:55:00.010-04:00

Over the past several years, we have seen many a "jury rigged" fall protection "system" on the roof tops of buildings. By this we mean a chaotic assembly of hand-tied ropes and / or cables, attached to roof vents, plumbing, HVAC equipment stands, conduits or other 'structures', thus spreading the 'load' of the suspended worker(s) and their powered platforms or boatswain chairs, or the load of a

Certain OSHA Regulations Regarding Working at Heights

2009-09-07T18:00:00.001-04:00

People are often confused by what regulations are actually in OSHA codes vs. which are incorporated by reference in consensus standards such as the ANSI/IWCA I-14.1. Below are a few OSHA codes that are mandatory ... Transportable (Mobile) Outriggers 1910.66(f)(3)(ii) 1910.66(f)(3)(ii)(A) “… outriggers may be used as a method of suspension for ground rigged working platforms where the point of

ANSI / IWCA 1-14.1 Important Lifesaving Standard Guidelines

2009-09-07T17:00:00.002-04:00

CERTAIN OSHA CONCENSUS STANDARD CODES FROM IWCA/ANSI I-14.1-2001 Below are excerpts from the I-14.1 explaining certain codes that must be followed in the window cleaning industry, which includes the workers, the window cleaning companies, the building management companies that hire them, and the building owners ... Section 4.2 Means and Methods 4.2.2 Existing buildings without the means and

Boatswain Chair Usage With Safety Tieback Anchors; Angles for Lifelines

2009-09-01T19:00:00.001-04:00

Standard Interpretations 04/19/2006 - Safe tieback angles for controlled boatswain's chairs. Click title for more ... • Standard Number: 1910.28; 1910.28(j); 1910.30; 1910.30(g)(2) April 19, 2006 Mr. Gus Strats 5406 Duke Court Frederick, MD 21703 Dear Mr. Strats: Thank you for your November 3, 2005, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Directorate of

OSHA Interpretation of Single Point Anchor for Simultaneous Usage

2009-09-01T18:00:00.001-04:00

Standard Interpretations 03/08/2002 - Acceptable use of single point anchor systems for window cleaning operations. Click title for more ... • Standard Number: 1910.132(c) March 8, 2002 Mr. Gus Strats, President Summit Anchor Company 5406 Duke Court Frederick, MD 21703 Dear Mr. Strats: Thank you for your April 30, 2001 letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's)

Regulations for Fall Protection and Prevention at Extreme Heights

2009-07-25T12:49:00.012-04:00

In window cleaning and other suspended work industries, there are specific regulations for work at certain heights. The breakpoints are at 130’ and 300’. Read on for additional info ... At 130’ intermittent stabilization anchors are required for powered platforms and some form of station stabilization is required for boatswain chair. At 300’ no mobile outriggers are allowed which means

OSHA Interpretation Letter of March 28, 2005; ANSI/IWCA I-14.1

2009-07-24T20:10:00.004-04:00

This OSHA Interpretation Letter was taken from http://www.osha.gov/ and outlines the rules regarding the ANSI / IWCA I-14.1-2001 and how it will be used in citations. Click title to read more ... OSHA enforcement of ANSI window cleaning standard; citing federal agencies under the General Duty Clause. Standard Interpretations Standards Numbered: 1910.66; 1960.8 March 28, 2005 Mr. David

OSHA Interpretation Letter of October 1, 1998; Rules for 300'

2009-07-24T20:00:00.002-04:00

This letter taken from http://www.osha.gov/ outlines rules for suspended work over 300' using a powered platform. Click title to read more ... OSHA INTERPRETATION LETTER Standards Numbered: 1910.66(f)(3)(ii), 1910.66(e)(2) October 1, 1998 Mr. Thomas J. O'Shea PE President, Entek Engineering, LLP 200 Broadway, Troy, New York 12180 Dear Mr. O'Shea: This is in response to your letter of July

Florida Roofing Firm Fined $54,100 for 9 Violations

2009-03-14T19:16:00.003-04:00

OSHA cited a Pompano, FL roofing company with 9 violations and $54,100 in fines 6 months after a worker fell 30 feet to his death., because this worker had no fall protection and also because the roofing company continued to expose workers to the very same hazard!The complete article can be viewed at:http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-bn-0311roofer,0,3202455.story

Engineered Fall Prevention System

2009-03-08T23:34:00.004-04:00

In this photo clearly visible, certified anchors are being used for three purposes, as follows: 1) The first purpose is to anchor the counter-weighted outriggers solidly in place. These in turn are being used to suspend the ground-rigged powered platform. 2) The second purpose is to anchor the safety lines, one for each worker, to prevent their falling to their death in the event the platform

$70,000 OSHA Fine to Contractor in Massachusetts

2009-03-06T14:33:00.004-05:00

This incident was "willfull" and the potential fall was 50' high - no fall occured and no injury occured. OSHA is doing the right thing!http://safetyduck.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-just-dont-get-it.htmlIt's like getting people to wear seat belts (or helmets) - inconvenient, time consuming, uncomfortable - and it flies in the face of the "it won't happen to me" attitude. The fact is, people have car (

Fall Protection is the 3rd Most Cited Issue per OSHA

2009-02-21T16:16:00.002-05:00

For 2008 there were nearly 5,000 violations of "Fall Protection" discovered by OSHA. They are getting serious about saving lives, and consequently, about writing citations and issuing fines. Numerous citations have been over $100,000. The cost of prevention and having the proper equipment is significantly less - do you want to play safety roulette?

Powered Platform Accident in Texas Closes Streets

2008-11-30T12:43:00.004-05:00

Photo by MyFox News Dallas, TX Thursday, November 13, 2008 this powered platform fell 45 feet, breaking glass windows and damaging property before coming to rest 46 floors above the streets below. Broken glass fell and fortunately no one was injured. The workers were rescued.

ZERO TOLERANCE!

2008-09-19T10:07:00.008-04:00

Canada appears to be stepping up its efforts to prevent fatalities from falls. Recently companies have been fined quite severely in Canada for accidents and for infractions of safety regulations. The great news is the Pro-Active approach to prevention and protection - saving lives. Here in the USA we suffer from a malaise that it's "accepted" that sometimes workers will fall and often resulting

Father's Fatal Fall

2008-09-12T17:01:00.006-04:00

Wearing harness but not tied in to an anchor ... DAD'S DEATH FALL TRAGEDY IN HARLEM FOR BELOVED HARDHAT By ERIK SHILLING and BILL SANDERSON Posted: 3:47 am September 12, 2008 at New York Post A construction worker described by his sobbing wife as "the support of his family" plunged four stories to his death yesterday when one end of his suspended-platform scaffold gave way from a Harlem

News from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

2008-09-09T09:44:00.006-04:00

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics has just released its August 20, 2008 Report for 2007. Since 1992 the fatal falls stat has increased 39% to 835, from 600. See the green trend-line in the chart, taken from the DOL BLS 2007 report. This in spite of new and improved OSHA regulations and industry concensus standards such as the I-14.1-2001, not to mention most

Fatal Falls in 2007 Sets a Record! (not good)

2008-09-09T09:32:00.002-04:00

At the "pump handle", Christina Morgan writes there were 835 fatal falls in 2007, and, each and every one of them were (or should have been ) preventable... and the workers whose lives are literally hanging on the line everyday have come to the sad disposition that they have to live with these circumstances - that coming home to their families at the end of the day is a statistical probability,

Window Washers Die in 40-Foot Lift Tip-Over

2008-08-15T14:50:00.014-04:00

2 Window Washers Die in 40-Foot Fall By THE NEW YORK TIMES Published: August 5, 2008 Two cousins who were window washers fell to their deaths while working on a financial district building early on Tuesday, the police said. They identified the victims as Robert Fabrizio, 35, of Las Vegas, and Garin Fabrizio, 37, of Milford, Pa. The two were working in a crane at the World Financial Center

Firefighters Rescue Dangling Window Washers

2008-08-15T14:47:00.004-04:00

From: The Canadian Press August 15, 2008 Edmonton -- Two window washers who were left dangling by their safety harnesses after their platform collapsed beneath them yesterday were rescued from the side of the downtown Edmonton law courts building. Firefighters got the workers down and one of the men was treated for a cut to the back of his head. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Scaffold Blown Around Like a Kite in Miami

2008-08-15T12:13:00.009-04:00

(One reason for certified anchorages, and Intermittent Stabilization Anchors; avoid injury, avoid damage to building, avoid worse news, avoid injuring 3rd parties) From: NBC6.net Caught On Tape: Construction Workers On Scaffold Whipped By WindPOSTED: 9:19 am EDT July 16, 2008 / UPDATED: 9:50 am EDT July 16, 2008 MIAMI -- A viewer used his cell phone to capture video images of a scaffold swinging

ANSI / IWCA I-14.1-2001: an OSHA National Consensus Standard for Window Cleaning (Highlights)

2008-08-13T18:00:00.008-04:00

The ANSI / IWCA I-14.1-2001 is an OSHA National Consensus Standard. It has been referenced in several OSHA CITATIONS (found elsewhere in this blog) -- buildings new and old need to meet the requirements of this standard. A few highlights (click title for more): 3.8 Fall protection, perimeter guarding, personal fall arrest systems … shall be provided for all work areas … that expose a worker to a

Window Washer Fatally Injured in Fort Meyers, FL

2008-08-13T11:46:00.012-04:00

From: Wink News Window washer falls 8 stories, By Althea Paul, WINK News Story Created: Jun 15, 2007 at 1:20 PM EDT, Story Updated: Jun 16, 2007 at 6:56 PM EDT South Fort Myers - Friday morning a window washer fell 8 stories and died. The accident happened around 8:30am in South Lee County. According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the window washer was working at Sanibel Harbour Resort

Window Washer Critically Injured in Orlando, FL

2008-08-13T11:32:00.007-04:00

From the Orlando SentinelOrlando, Fl, May 13, 2008, page B.3, section Local & State Worker injured in fall off roof ORLANDO---A window washer was critically injured Monday when he fell from the rooftop of Florida Hospital Orlando, police said. Jose Montalbo, 31, of Kissimmee suffered numerous broken bones and bleeding from his head, according to a police report. He was in critical condition late

New York City Window Cleaning Fall Accident 2007

2008-01-05T14:26:00.004-05:00

Here’s a positive update on the recent New York City window cleaning accident… In the national news Friday morning (Jan 4, 2008) was a report the surviving brother has improved significantly from this tragic accident. It’s being called “a miracle”. Imagine surfing a falling platform down the wall of a tall building! These are the creations of movies, not real life… GOOGLE "new york city window

What's in a Safety Plan?

2007-10-22T08:03:00.001-04:00

OSHA requires that a fall protection & prevention Safety Plan be in written form, that it be between a building owner or its representatives and each subcontractor, and that it be signed by an authorized person from each party. Note that each Safety Plan is site-specific, thus, it contains information unique to each and every building, because none are exactly the same. So, for every

OSHA References to ANSI I-14.1; It Is Law

2007-10-08T06:00:00.002-04:00

Building managers and engineers have been asking, "is the ANSI I-14.1 a requirement, is it a code that we must adhere to?" For some, the answer isn't a clear "yes" or "no", but "it depends". Technically, there is a gray area here. We like to think that the answer is an emphatic YES! Please see the links to OSHA below for our proof. (click title for more) There are hardwired OSHA codes like

Who's Responsible if an Anchor is Loose?

2007-09-20T14:31:00.003-04:00

A building manager asked recently who's responsible if one of the anchors on the building roof is loose. The answer is "it depends on why the anchor is loose". The original installer should warrantee the work for at least a year from the date of substantial completion. The manufacturer should warrantee the product for at least a year. If the installer and / or manufacturer cannot or will not

Safety Tieback (Anchor) Rules

2007-09-11T19:29:00.004-04:00

These are the general rules of thumb for locating safety tieback anchors - as per the ANSI / IWCA I-14.1-2001 - and per generally accepted best practices and common sense ... (click title for more) Never closer than 6' from unprotected roof edge or insufficient parapet wall or from a leading edge with a drop of 6' or more Never more than 50' from the roof edge No more than 12' apart No closer

The Meaning of Safety as it Pertains to Building Maintenance

2007-09-11T17:11:00.002-04:00

If one reads all the OSHA regulations regarding the location of tiebacks (safety anchors), the strength or holding power, setbacks and spacing rules, it becomes clear that if you are in "construction" vs. "shipyards" vs. "general industry" different interpretations are possible. We like to think of safety as a concept and that it extends to all facets of a building, operations, training,

Welcome Message

2007-08-31T13:59:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the No Fall Company, LLC Fall Protection and Prevention blog. This site is intended as an informational service only. We welcome questions and comments, anything that promotes safe working practices as they relate to the General Duty Clause of OSHA to provide a safe working environment, pertaining to suspended work and working at heights, or near potential fall hazards.