N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 12 § 21.3

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 21.3 - General provisions

(a) Owner's statement required. Before windows or window anchors are installed in a building subject to section 202 of the Labor Law a sufficient statement of the proposed means and methods of cleaning such windows shall be submitted by the owner (as defined) to the commissioner.

(b) Means and methods required. (See § 21.4, infra.)

(1) No owner shall suffer or permit a cleaner to clean a window of his building unless it has the structural features and the anchors or other fixed devices required by this Part in respect to the authorized means and methods of cleaning used by the cleaner.

(2) No employer shall suffer or permit an employee to clean a window otherwise than in accordance with an authorized means and method. Every employer must provide or cause to be provided to a cleaner in his employ the portable equipment, devices and materials specified in respect to the authorized means and methods used by such cleaner.

(3) No cleaner shall clean any window otherwise than in accordance with an authorized means and method.

(c) Employees under 18. No employer shall suffer or permit an employee under the age of 18 years to clean windows.

(d) Defective windows and structures.

(1) No owner shall suffer or permit a cleaner to clean any window installed in his building if any part of such window or surrounding structures upon which the cleaner may depend for support is so defective, damaged or deteriorated as to affect its structural strength, or if any part of such window which must be opened during cleaning cannot be operated easily.

(2) The owner shall repair or replace any defective part upon which the cleaner may depend for support.

(e) Unsafe equipment prohibited.

(1) No person shall wilfully sell, lend, provide or suffer or permit the use of, window cleaning equipment that is unsafe in any respect.

(2) No employer shall suffer or permit a cleaner to use rope which has sustained wear or deterioration materially affecting its strength.

(f) Maintenance of equipment.

(1) Window cleaning equipment shall be maintained in good repair at all times.

(2) Safety belts shall be hung up in a dry place and protected from damage when not in use.

(3) All fiber and wire rope shall be stored in a dry place and protected against contact with corrosive substances.

(g) Employer's inspection of equipment. Safety belts, ladders and scaffolds and boatswain's chairs with their supporting tackle, shall be examined at least once each month by the employer and he shall not suffer or permit the use of such equipment while it is unsafe in any respect.

(h) Installation of unapproved anchors. No person shall install an unapproved anchor.

(i) Unauthorized installations--removal by owner. Every unapproved anchor and every unauthorized installation of an anchor, and every anchor of which the fastenings or supports are damaged or deteriorated, shall be removed or rendered unusable by detachment of the anchor head.

(j) Misuse of anchors. An installed anchor shall not be used for any purpose other than attachment of an approved safety belt.

(k) Shutter bars. Shutter bars on windows which are cleaned from the outside shall be maintained in sound condition and shall be fastened with iron throughbolts at least three-eighths inch in diameter and provided with proper size washers and means to prevent loosening of the nuts.

(l) Extension devices.

(1) A cleaner using an extension device above the first floor shall attach it to his person by a wrist loop or otherwise to prevent dropping.

(2) Each extension device used above the first floor shall have a locking device to prevent inadvertent detachment of the brush or squeegee.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 § 21.3