GANA Tempering Division Offers OSHA Input on Suction Cups for Window Cleaning
August 25, 2010

During a meeting of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) Tempering Division, attendees learned that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is accepting comments this week on whether or not to adopt ANSI I14. The standard addresses, among other things, rope descent systems for window cleaners.

GANA technical director Urmilla Sowell shared a video demonstrating one example of this form of descent, where the window washer used a suction cup to latch onto the glass. In some instances the suction cups are used for “anti-sway” to keep the window cleaners stationary.

Several division members expressed concern that with adoption by OSHA, it will become much more difficult to stop this potentially dangerous practice.

Division members discussed concerns about the potential for damage to the glass this usage leads to, ranging from the possibility of a “ghosting” ring left by the cup that could show up when it rains to the possibility of scratching by picking up grit from continued use of the cups to the different unknown effects of adhering to plain glass versus first surface coatings. The biggest concern, of course, was the possibility that this practice could lead to glass breakage, a danger to the window washer and passersby below.

While GANA members have no record that this practice has led to breakage, the members agreed that it should not be approved by OSHA as a safe practice. A motion was ultimately passed to go on the record with OSHA to simply say that GANA does not endorse the use of suction cups as a personal safety device.

Stay tuned to USGNN.com™ for further updates.

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