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OPOS stands for Operating Procedure Outline Sheet.
An OPOS establishes safe window cleaning and exterior maintenance procedures
for buildings and structures. By California Code, it must include all
of the necessary elements, in pictorial and written form to instruct employees
in the safe use of roof supported building maintenance equipment or window
cleaning procedures not covered by the General
Industry Safety Orders of California.
An OPOS document must (to be in accordance with the California code)
be developed by a person possessing a Scaffold Inspection Testing Certification
(as
specified by Section 3296 of the GISO)
Dealing With Changes In Our Industry
As OPOS documents become a major part of our industry,Caledonian appreciates
the need to educate employees in this area. It is essential that our employees
can read,understand and provide feedback on the OPOS documents that they
work with.
To address this issue, Caledonian recently held a class for it's high-rise
division and employed the services of a professional engineer, Craig Caulkins
of C.S. Caulkins Co. Inc., an industry expert in this field.
As each and every building has unique "OPOS" documentation,
the process of education must be ongoing. We believe that this area of
our training will help our employees and customers embrace the changes
in our industry as we move forward.
OPOS documentation has been a real breakthrough in safety for the window
cleaning industry in California. Working to understand it fully is critical
to the growth of our company and the the fulfillment of our mission.
Does your building Require an OPOS?
California code states that the requirements for an OPOS are:
"Owners of buildings 36 feet or more in height shall have an OPOS
system or procedures meeting the requirements specified in
articles 5
and 6 of the California GISO (General Industry Safety Orders)
- A building does not have an established window cleaning system or
procedures meeting the requirements specified in Articles
5 and 6 of the California GISO. (General Industry Safety Orders)
- A building's original window cleaning procedures prepared in accordance
with the requirements in articles 5 and 6 of the GISO (General Industry
Safety Orders) have been changed because of building modifications.
- A building has extreme architectural features, which require the use
of complex rigging or equipment, or a building that uses rigging or
equipment not covered by the California GISO.
Building Owners/Managers
- The California code clearly states that employers shall not permit
their employees to use any building safety devices or equipment prior
to receiving copies of the written assurance and, if required an OPOS
form from the building owner as required be section
3282 (p)(1)(A) and (C)
- If you have any doubts or questions regarding the OPOS requirements
of a particular property, we advise that you contact CAL
OSHA and ask for clarification.
- For a Boatswain's Chair to be used in window cleaning operations,
there must be an OPOS document for the building and it must detail such
use.
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