New safety standard for window-washers takes effect March 1
A new Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA)
standard is designed to increase worker protection and provide clarity
for contractors that perform interior or exterior window-washing or
building-maintenance operations.
It applies to workers that are
suspended more than 14 feet above grade. The standard does not apply to
operations that are performed from grade level or from a ladder.
The standards's requirements are designed to address serious workplace
hazards observed by MNOSHA during past compliance inspections. During
2009 to 2011, three Minnesota workers died on the job while washing
windows.
The standard requires employers to have a comprehensive written safety
plan and provide employee training for window-washing and
building-maintenance activities. It also addresses and outlines worker
safety requirements in the areas of: anchors and anchor points;
appropriate recordkeeping regarding employee training and retraining;
fall protection; proper care, use and inspection of equipment; rope
descent systems; and visual inspections of building exteriors before
work begins.
"This new standard ensures a plan is in place to reduce risks to workers
and that systems are in place to identify and control workplace
hazards," said Commissioner Ken Peterson, Minnesota Department of Labor
and Industry (DLI). "The goal is to prevent accidents."
MNOSHA began a local emphasis inspection program for the window-washing
and building-maintenance industry in October 2010. Since then, MNOSHA
has conducted 34 window-washing inspections: one was a complaint, one
was a fatality and 32 were part of the emphasis program, where
investigators may stop and conduct an inspection when they observe
window-washing activity.
During the inspections, MNOSHA investigators found some worksites lacked
proper safety equipment for employees cleaning windows. Also, not all
employers were complying with existing MNOSHA safety standards or
following the manufacturer's guidelines about how to safely use
suspension scaffolds and lifelines.
Employers can get information about the new standard via the DLI website
at www.dli.mn.gov/MnOsha.asp (click on the "Standards" tab) or by
calling MNOSHA Compliance at (651) 284-5050.