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Source Date Incident Location Abstract * Comments Equipment Height

Incident

Count

Equipment

Failure

No

Independent

Fall Protection

Fall

protection

tied to

Scaffold

Lack of

Sound

Anchorage

Lack of

Wind Sway

Protection Misuse NY, NY CA

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 6/13/1977

Three window cleaners were standing on a two point suspended scaffold at the fifth floor

level of a 5 story building when one of the cables made a loud noise which pulled the

outrigger off the roof. The force from this action caused the other outrigger to break in half.

It was determined that the weights on the first outrigger had not been secured, and neither

was tied back to the structure. None of the three workers was wearing fall protection.

Equipment

Failure. No roof

tie-backs. No

fall protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 5 floors 1 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 4/24/1978

Two workers left their suspended scaffolding at the 14th floor of a 23 story building because

it had electrically malfunctioned. Their exit was by means of an open window. When they

went back out onto the scaffolding a few days later to attempt a repair, the one end jerked,

causing the steel cable to snap, sending both men down to the roof of the building. One died

and the other was seriously injured. Neither had their fall protection engaged while on the

platform.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 23 floors 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 7/22/1978

Two workers on a suspended scaffolding had completed washing windows on the 6th floor

and were attempting to move up to the 7th. One of the workers had moved his side up to

the ledge of the 7th floor and stopped. The other worker attempted five times to bring his

side up but it would not move. The decision then was to lower the scaffold to the ground.

The side up was lowered until the scaffold was level. the window cleaner moved the controls

to go down. The scaffold shook violently twice and the wire rope broke allowing that end of

the scaffold to fall. The window cleaner fell six stories to his death after a futile attempt to

grab his safety line. He did not have a harness on, the other worker did and was saved.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection

Suspended

Scaffold 7+ floors 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/14/1978

Two workers had made one drop with their suspension scaffold on a 17 story building. They

had put slack in the steel cable at the bottom where the platform rested. They returned to

the roof to move the cables in preparation for another drop. The workers moved one cable

and tied it back. The window cleaner came behind the second worker to see if the cable was

in the right position for the next drop. His foot slipped and grabbed the other worker pulling

him off the roof. He fell 17 stories to the ground. the other worker grabbed a cable and held

on. Holding on to the cable, he got off on the balcony of the next floor.

No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 17 floors 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 7/29/1979

Employees were attempting to move scaffolding while it was suspended. One worker,

stayed, on the scaffold and because of incorrect rigging, one end of the scaffold fell to a

vertical position. The worker was attached to the scaffolding with a safety belt, however fell

off the end and was crushed when the platform swung into the building.

Misuse of

equipment.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 6/17/1980

The workers were faced with a motor that malfunctioned on the third floor of a building.

When one worker came over to the side of the broken motor, the other side gave way and

the cable snapped. One worker was saved by his safety belt, the other did not have his on

and fell to his death.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 9/18/1980

Two workers were on a suspended scaffolding cleaning windows on a ten story building. The

scaffolding was assembled without guardrails or toeboards. As they were descending from

the tenth floor to the ninth, the cable slipped through one of the motors. The worker at that

end fell approximately 70 feet to the concrete sidewalk when the stirrup frame shifted,

allowing the anchor end of his safety belt to slip off the open ended top rail. The other

worker remained attached to the platform and was later rescued.

Misuse of

equipment.

Equipment

failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 10/15/1080

Workers were attempting to move suspended scaffolding around the corner of a building.

After going up to the roof to re-rig for this procedure, they returned to the ground to start

moving it. One worker decided to ride the scaffolding so that a ground level balcony could

be cleared. One end of the platform was taken up 20 feet. As they turned the corner, the

outriggers turned, and since one of the outriggers had not been weighted correctly, the

airborne end of the scaffold dropped causing the worker on the platform to fall to his death.

The movement of the outriggers caused the weights to fall off the one because they were

not secured to the beam, in an effort to cut time, the wokers just laid them on the beam.

Improper use.

No fall

protection. Lack

of tie back.

Suspended

Scaffold 20+ feet 1 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 10/27/1980 Tulsa, OK

Two window cleaners were injured when scaffold dropped at one end. Ray fell ten stories.

Wes managed to hold on until fire fighters rescued him.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1 1

Accident Analysis for Suspended Scaffolding

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/15/1980

Window cleaners rode suspension scaffolding to the 10th floor of a 12 story building. At this

floor, one window cleaner stepped off of the platform to go around a fire escape to clean a

window that could not be accessed from the platform. Apparently, this worker had done this

several times before. He lost his footing and since he disconnected his fall protection, fell 10

floors to his death.

Misuse. No fall

protection.

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 5/2/1982 New York, NY

Window Cleaner fell to his death and his partner was left dangling when a line snapped on a

two point suspension scaffold.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1 1

Houston Chronicle Aug-82 Houston, TX

Two men cleaning the exterior of the Dresser Tower were stranded for about three hours

outside the eighth floor when their scaffold's electric motor jammed in high winds and rain.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 8+ floors 1 1

Houston Chronicle Nov-82 Houston, TX

High winds spun a scaffold holding two men outside the seventh floor of Texas Commerce

Tower. The men, applying waterproofing materials to the building, were rescued by

firefighters and escaped injury.

No wind sway

protection

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 3/23/1984

Washington,

DC One worker killed, 2nd worker crippled with loss of legs in fall of scaffold

Equipment

failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/02/84

Mavisdale,

VA

Worker fell 179 feet to his death while his co-worker was severely injured when one end of

the powered scaffold failed, dropping both men who were not wearing life lines at the time.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 179+ feet 1 1 1

Houston Chronicle Sep-85 Lansing, MI

Window washer Gene Krames, of Lansing, MI, hangs by his safety lines from the sixth floor of

a building as a ladder from the Fire department is extened to him. The platform from which

he was working fell from the building

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 06/05/86

Los Angeles,

CA Scaffolding wire jams, stranding 2 workers for 1/2 hour on a 27 story building

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning


One man killed, another survived fall in serious condition when cable snapped on scaffold on

33 story apartment under construction.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 08/07/86 Lincoln, NE

Scaffolding dropped on one end, four men on scaffold, all survived. Three of the four men

were pulled back in a window broken out by firemen and the fourth dangled fo over an hour

in a body belt. The scaffolding was permanently installed on the building and shortly after

this incident, the owner's of the building, had it removed because they felt it was unsafe.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 08/18/06 Cadillac, MI

Two window washers were killed and one in serious condition after one end of scaffolding

fell. They were not using safety belts or lifelines.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 09/04/86

St.

Petersburg,

FL Window cleaner rescued when scaffold falls at 11 story building ?

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 09/11/86

Myrtle

Beach, SC Two men rescued when platform falls to 60 degree angle on the side of a 24 story Hotel. ?

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 09/15/86 Arlington, VA Two window cleaners saved by safety belts when scaffolding collapses ?

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/20/86

Cleveland,

OH 32 year old fatality on swing stage ?

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 1/12/87

Los Angeles,

CA Two painters stranded on scaffold when one of the motors died.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 1/14/87

Atlantic City,

NJ Window cleaner save by safety rope when one end of 2 point contruction platform fell.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 1/16/87 Coquille, OR

Three construction workers injured when cable holding their scaffolding broke causing the

platform to fall to the ground.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 3/28/87

Philadelphia,

PA

One worker killed in fall from the 44th floor when construction hoist snagged safety lines.

Second worker saved by life line.

Misuse of

equipment.

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 March-87 Paterson, NJ Worker saved by technician when the rope holding one end of the scaffolding snapped.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 4/8/87 St. Louis, MO Body Harnesses saved 2 workers when end of scaffold collapses near top of 12 story building.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 4/14/87 Honolulu, HI Two painters rescued when one end of powered scaffolding drops

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 4/17/87

Columbus,

OH

Cable snapped on one side of a scaffold and left two men dangling from safety harnesses for

15 minutes at the 10th floor level. Workers said they were trying to repair a scaffold that

had been chewing up support cables. Neither injured.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 4/23/87 Boston, MA Two workers saved by safety lines when one end of scaffold they were working on gave way.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 5/6/87 Chicago, IL

Worker died when a cable snapped on a scaffold, causing the man to fall five stories at the

building.

Equipment

Failure. No fall

protection.

Suspended


Houston Chronicle 5/26/1987 Houston, TX

Two men were cleaning windows on the 32nd floor of the 36 story Pennzoil Place Tower. The

men were wearing their safety harnesses, but those were attached to the scaffold. The

heavy platform, along with pulleys and steel cables, crashed to the street.

Misuse.

Equipment

Failure. no

independent fall

protection

Suspended

Scaffold 36 floors 1 1 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 07/01/87 Haverhill, MA Worker save by his lifeline when the scaffold basket fell 60 feet to the ground

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 60+ feet 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning


Workers were stranded for half an hour when unraveling cable jammed the motor of their

scaffold

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 07/08/87 Denver, CO

Two workers stranded for 90 minutes when their scaffold tilted about 45 degrees and

became jammed against the building outside the 25th floor.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 08/13/87 Atlanta, GA

Two brothers were stranded at the 25th floor when their scaffold's motor failed. Fire dept.

rapelled each man to the ground.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 09/15/87 Raleigh, NC

Three window cleaners working 17 stories up uttered death screams when one end of their

platform abruptly dropped about three stories. The platform tipped twice in a 10 minute

period, ending up at about the 12th story. The men were secured by safety ropes and were

not injured.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/02/87 Berlin, NJ Worker was injured in a fall when a safety rope on his side of the scaffold gave way.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/15/87

Columbus,

OH

Window cleaner rescued a second time in 7 months along with two other window cleaners

when their scaffold's motor died, stranding them 28 floors up on the side of the building.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/23/87

Des Moines,

IA

Window cleaners rescued after dangling for nearly an hour on the side of the scaffolding. A

cable anchoring one side of the scaffold slipped, causing one end to fall and the scaffold to

hang vertically. One managed to grab the still secured end of the scaffold, but the other was

thrown free of the platform.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 11/27/87

Birmingham,

AL

The steel cable on the left side of their scaffold broke as both window cleaners were working

on the North side of the Tower. Both men, who were wearing safety lines were rescued

without any major injuries.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 December-87 New York, NY

Window cleaner falls 4 stories suffering a skull fracture. Window cleaner was working on

suspended scaffolding when one end of suspension failed.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 12/03/87

Spartanburg,

AL

Worker died from injuries sustained in a fall after a powered scaffold fell. His partner was

listed in serious condition in the intensive care unti. It appears that the clamps that secured

the cable ends to the right sky hook slipped.

Equipment

Failure or

Misuse.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning


Firemen had to break out sealed windows to rescue window cleaners when their power

scaffold stalled 130 feet above the street

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 03/21/88 Knoxville, TN

Two unidentified construction workers were rescued when a cable broke on one end of the

scaffold they were working on nearly 5 stories above the ground

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 03/24/88

Charlottesvill

e, VA

One worker killed another in fair condition with a broken leg and broken back when the steel

cable of their powered platform was burned in two when it touched a 2,400 volt power line. Misuse

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 04/15/88

Sacramento,

CA

Two workers escaped injury when one of the cables holding a window washing scaffold they

were demonstrating at the new downtown county jail snapped, leaving them dangling from

safety harnesses some 40 feet above the street.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning


Two window cleaners are suspended when a scaffold's cable breaks near the 31st floor. Fire

fighters rescued the men.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 05/16/88

Hamtramck,

IN

Worker died of injuries sustained when one end of the scaffold, suspended by steel cables

suddenly dropped while two men were replacing bricks on a parapet wall at a school.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 05/24/88 Charlotte, NC

City fire fighters rescued three window cleaners from 18 floors above Independence Square

after one end of their scaffolding fell as they attempted to replace the drive motor on that

end.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 09/18/88 Newark, NJ

Two maintenance workers spent most of the day on a scaffold with a broken motor 18

stories above the ground. The men eventually hand cranked the motors down to a level that

they could be reached by aerial ladder.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 10/08/88 Tokyo, Japan

Three window cleaners waited for help after two of four steel cables supporting their

scaffolding slipped, leaving them dangling outside the 25th floor. They were rescued after an

hour.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning


Two construction workers were rescued from a failed scaffold that fell to a vertical position

while they were working. Both men were wearing safety belts at the time.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 10/19/88 Atlanta, GA

Window cleaner fell six stories to his death while cleaning windows when a cable holding the

scaffolding he was working on snapped. A second man on the scaffolding was saved by his

safety harness and was rescued by the fire department.

Equipment

Failure. No Fall

Protection

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 January-89

Beaumont,

TX Window Cleaner falls from permanent scaffolding and dies

No fall

protection Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 February-89

San

Francisco, CA

Window cleaner, assembling permanent powered platform and the unit collapses onto him

on the roof of a 15 story building. Misuse

Suspended


Houston Chronicle 3/27/1990 Houston, TX

Two men were washing windows from a suspended scaffold on the 18th floor when a

support trolley on the roof gave way and fell two stories to a balcony, where it became

ensnared on a railing. "if it hadn't caught on that railing, it would have fallen and the scaffold

would have probably ended up completely vertical," said Senior Fire Capt. Frank Ratka. "And

the shock of that weight might have caused the whole thing to come down." After the

support fell, one end was canted toward the ground, leaving the men perched on a scaffold

pointing downward. The first firefighters on the scene quickly dropped lines to the workers,

so that if the scaffold were to fall suddenly, they would not fall with it.

Anchor failure,

not tied back, no

fall protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 240 feet 1 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 12/13/90 Detroit, MI

Two wndow cleaners caught by their safety ropes when their window washing scaffolding

dropped from under them.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 08/07/91 Tampa, FL

Two window cleaners rescued from Spider Stage house rig. Motor malfunctioned. Workers

were stranded for three hours. Fire Department broke window to rescue them because

severe thunderstorms were in the area.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 10/25/91

Minneapolis,

MN

Two window cleaners stranded on the side of building when one end of their powered

platform slipped because one of its two motors failed.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 December-91 Atlanta, GA

Two window cleaners rescued when one cable of suspended scaffolding breaks. High rise

rescue team save wokers after they hung there for about 1/2 hour.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 06/06/92

Philadelphia,

PA

Two window cleaners rescued from suspended scaffolding when one of the motors caused a

cable to jam.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 April-93 Boston, MA

Two workers were suspended in their personal fall protection when one motor on their

suspended scaffolding burned through a steel support cable. There were no injuries.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 10/06/93 Houston, TX

Metal refinishers survived in the safety equipment when one end of the powered stage fell

at the top of the building.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning


Window cleaners working on suspended scaffolding and the steel cable slips through one of

the motors which leaves the worker on that end of the scaffold dangling in his fall protection

equipment. His partner attempted to level the scaffold but was unable to and the fire

department had to rescue via breaking a window out.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

articles.chicagotribune.

com/1994-05-

24/news/9405240264_

1_... 5/23/1994 Chicago, IL

Two window washers were stranded outside the 18th floor for more than 4 hours in the rain

after the motor of their scaffold malfunctioned.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 6/28/1994 MN

Two window cleaners relied on their expertise and safely escaped harm by performing a self-

rescue from a malfunctioned permanent window washing scaffolding. The drum hoist failed

and the unit fell to a 45 degree position.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning


A window cleaner was killed when he fell from the permanent powered platform on which

he was working. Apparently he was not wearing his lifeline, which would have prevented his

death.

No Independent

Fall Protection

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 12/16/1994

St.

Petersburg,

FL

Two window cleaners were taken to the hospital when their suspended scaffolding collapsed

while washing windows.

Equipment

Failure, No Fall

Protection?

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1

IWCA Accident

Analysis for the

Window Cleaning

Industry 1995 4/20/1995

Atlantic City,

NJ

Scaffold fails, stands pair on 42nd floor. Firemen rescue two workers using rappelling

gear after the stage they were working on malfunctioned. The two window cleaners

were rescued in about 30 minutes.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


IMIS 200520030 10/3/1995

Two employees of a window cleaning company, were working from a two point

suspension scaffold when one of the outriggers fell from the roof causing the scaffold

to fall 30-35 feet. One employee was fatally injured and one was seriously injured.

The outrigger that fell had not been attached to the counterweights. The outriggers

had not been tied back and the employees were not using an independent life-line

and safety belt or harness. The outriggers had been set- up during hours of darkness

and without the aid of artificial light.

No fall

protection. No

sound

anchorage.

Failure to use

equipment

properly.

Suspended

Scaffold 35' 1 1 1 1

IWCA Compilation 1996

A 37 year old window washer died of injuries sustained when the two-point

suspension scaffold he was working from collapsed. The victim was not wearing fall

protection and he fell 35 feet to the ground. The building was six story. Another

worker was working from the scaffold. The two workers set up the equipment in the

dark and did not properly assemble the suspension equipment.

No fall

protection. No

sound

anchorage.

Misuse. Lack

of training.

Suspended


IMIS 200850055 8/5/1996

Worker on ground fatally injured and worker on window washing scaffold hospitalized

with injuries sustained from bricks and other debris that fell from 21st floor building

parapet from which scaffold was suspended. Parapet from which scaffold was

suspended had failed due to incorrect secondary tie back wire rope angle was

installed at an incorrect angle and excessive overhang dimension on parapet clamp.

Use of

unsound

anchorage.

RDS or


New York Post 1997 New York, NY

A window cleaner fell at Rockefeller Center and died after the scaffold he was on

gave way. He plunged 30 feet to the sidewalk.

No fall

protection.

Equipment

failure.

Suspended

Scaffold 30+ feet 1 1 1 1

New York Post 1997 New York, NY

Firefighters made a daring rescue after two window washers were left dangling 10

stories up after the scaffolding on which they were standing gave way.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended


1997

Scaffold dangles in danger 45 stories above the pavement at World Wide Plaza. Two

workmen were rescued.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended


1997

Window washers hold on after scaffold rigging became undone at building at 51st St.

and Madison Ave. The men were saved after emergency rescue team arrived on

scene, setting up ladder to bring worker through window.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

Daily News 1997 New York, NY Two maintenance workers dangled from a scaffold 36 floors above Park Ave.

Equipment

Failure.

Suspended


IMIS 200100147 6/24/1997

The deceased and his partner were washing windows on a high rise building. They

had just completed a 'drop' and were ascending to the 38th floor porch. They had just

reached the porch and were only moments from completing the ascent when the left

side of the two point suspension scaffold (supported by aluminum davits) dropped.

Both workers were supplied with independent lifelines and both were wearing full body

harnesses with lanyards. The deceased was not attached to his lifeline.

Failure to use

fall protection.

Suspended


News account by

Virginia Breen 1998 Lincoln Center

A construction cable dragged him off the roof of Avery Fisher Hall sending him

plunging to his death. He fell 7 stories to his death after 2 tons of scaffolding

collapsed pulling the cable gripping his leg down with it.

Equipment

Failure.

Misuse. No fall

protection.

Suspended


Philadelphia Inquirer 3/12/1998

East Whiteland,

PA

Strong winds knocked two window-washers from their scaffolding alongside a four-

story building causing one of them to plung 52 feet. His partner dangled from his

safety harness until firefighters arrived. The top of the building was very windy, and

as the wind blew, the scaffolding shifted and the hooks became loose and slid off the

side of the building. Both employees had decided to postpone their work due to the

wind. As they struggled to dismantle their scaffolding, he disconnected his harness

and tried to clim onto the roof. The scaffolding was caught by a gust of wind, and the

metal hook slipped.

No fall

protection.

Misuse. No

sound

anchorage.

Suspended

Scaffold 52 feet 1 1 1 1

IMIS 200850725 7/13/1998

After mating a powered platform for building maintenance to its roof track, 2 window

washers failed to install the pins that secured the removable track section nor did they

connect a 13 lb. rolling counterweight carriage to the machine. When the attempted to

move the machine to the intended work area, the rolling davit derailed. The

unbalanced machine tipped and fell over the roof parapet dragging its electrical cable

behind. One of the employees was struck by the cable which knocked him off the roof.

He fell to the sidewalk approximately 79 feet below and was killed. The second

employee was struck on the upper left arm by the cable and received bruises for

which he refused medical attention.

Failure to use

equipment as

designed. No

fall protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 79' 1 1 1

OSHA Inspection

109316075 7/30/1998 Orlando, FL

Employee #1 and other employees were working from a single-point adjustable

suspension scaffold that stalled on the way up, stranding the employees. Employee

#1 was directed to disconnect his safety equipment from the lifeline and climb onto a

window washer's ladder that had been leaned against the scaffold basket. Once on

the ladder, he bagan descending when the platform shifted. The ladder was pulled

from the hands of the employees holding the top and base of the ladder. He fell

approximately 14 feet, struck his head and died.

Misuse. No fall

protection

Suspended

Scaffold.

Ladder 14 feet 1 1 1

3/29/2000

Altrex 20 ft. Powered Platform Powered by 2 Powerclimb motors and gearboxes. The

employees had been working on this site for three days, and this was to be the last

window washed that day. They started on the ground and began climbing toward the

roof . At about the height of 87' one of the motors catastrophically failed and one end

of the platform fell. Initial findings: A type 'T' powered platform hanging vertically on

the side of a building by one cable. The lower end was 64' from the ground the upper

end was 87' from the ground. It was hanging from 2 davits on the roof which each had

a single 5/16 in. wire rope appropriately attached to it. There was also a black colored

thick electrical cord hanging from the roof and attached to the platform to provide

power to the motors located on each end of the platform. The wire rope was unbroken

and running appropriately through the motors. The body of a male lying on the ground

roughly below the platform. He was wearing a full body fall protection harness, but

there were no fall protection lifelines hanging from the roof.

No fall

protection 87' +

IMIS 201161759

Two lifelines were observed during the inspection, one lying near the davits on the

roof, one tangled on the frame of the platform, neither attached to anything. There

were lifeline attachment points on the davit support sockets. Findings: The survivor

stated that he had told the deceased that they needed to attach the lifelines but the

deceased had said that they weren't necessary, because this was the last trip and it

was near quitting time. The survivor was still nervous so he attached his harness to

the platform.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

wcmail.net/archives/

presep2000/july_200

0/msg00290.html 7/19/2000 Southfield, MI One side of scaffold collapsed.

Equipment

failure?

Suspended


cnn.com 6/22/2000 Irving, TX

Firefighters rescued two window washers from the side of a 12 story office building in

Irving, TX, after their scaffolding buckled and left them hanging about 100 feet in the

air.

Equipment

Failure.

Misuse?

Suspended


lubbockonline.com/s

tories/020901/upd_0

75-7497.shtml 2/9/2001 Atlanta, GA

A firefighter rappeled 400 fett down the side of a downtown highrise to rescue a

window washer stranded at the 42nd floor when scaffolding collapsed. Workers were

left dangling from their safety harnesses when the scaffolding gave way.

Equipment

failure

Suspended

Scaffolding 42+ floors 1 1

archives.cnn.com/tra

nscripts/0108/08/bn.

11.html 8/8/2001 Houston, TX

Two window washers had their scaffolding fall. One of the cables snapped. It went

from a horizontal position along these bar windows to a vertical position. It left one

window washer dangling and the other standing atop the vertical scaffold while

wearing his harness.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


komonews.com/new

s/archive/4017331.ht

ml 8/21/2001 Seattle, WA

Two window washers were rescued after a power outage to scaffolding equipment

stranded them 32 stories high at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


OSHA Inspection

306447376 3/27/2003 Cincinnati, OH

Use of signle point suspended scaffold without assurance that scaffold erection was

complete.

Failure to follow

manufacturers

instructions.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

canada.com 5/14/2003

Vancouver,

Canada

A man plunged to his death from the roof of a 12 story building. Two window washers

were flipping a piece of scaffolding cable over the side of the building when it touched

a power line. Both were shocked and one fell to the ground and died. Misuse

Suspended


7/14/2003 Chicago, IL

Two window washers were rescued from a collapsed scaffold. The workers hovered

almost 24 stories above State Street.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


OSHA Inspection

306227091 10/17/2003 Littleton, CO

Employees exposed to falling hazard while working on a powered platform. Electricity

failed three times. No adequate means of communication.

Equipment

failure. No

means of

communication

.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1 1


prefeb2006/decemb

er_2005/msg00350.h

tml 12/20/2005 Frankfort, KY

Minor injuries when a scaffold gave way or a cord snapped in Frankfort, KY. Portable

scaffold ended up at a 45 degree angle with one end on the ground.

Equipment

failure.

Suspended

Scaffold 30' ? 1 1


prefeb2006/january_

2006/msg00025.html 12/22/2005 Norfolk, VA Rig slipped and cable gave way. Scaffold caved in and collapsed on him.

Equipment

failure. No fall

protection

Suspended

Scaffold 3 floors + 1 1 1

OSHA Inspection

309672210 12/27/2005

Employee was washing windows from a single-point suspension scaffold system on a

5 story commercial building. The scaffold was suspended from a single outrigger

located on the roof. The employee was at the third floor level when the suspension

cable parted, causing the employee and scaffold to fall to the sidewalk. The

employee was wearing personal fall arrest equipment with a lanyard, a rope grab, and

a life line. However, when the cable parted, the personal fall arrest system failed to

prevent the employee from falling because the rope grab had not been adjusted for

the employee's work level.

Equipment

Failure.

Misuse

Suspended



presep2006/march_2

006/msg00256.html 3/9/2006 Miami, FL

Worker falls 10-12 feet at Mercy Hospital in Miami. Looks like 10 story building.

Worker fell from ledge or from suspended scaffold.

No fall

protection?

Suspended


various sources

including employer 5/9/2006 Denver, CO

Suspended scaffolding broke free of wind sway protection on side of building and

blew around in the wind breaking numerous windows on about the 14th floor of a 38

floor building in downtown Denver. Scaffold secured by rescue team and workers

removed with minor injuries.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


clickondetroit.com/p

rint/9347462/detail.h

tml 6/9/2006 Detroit, MI

A window washer was trapped on scaffolding outside the 26th floor. Emergency

crews said they believe high winds may have knocked the platform off its track and it

became stuck.

Equipment

Failure.

Misuse

Suspended



prefeb2006/january_

2006/msg00025.html 12/22/2006

Victim dies from injuries suffered in a scaffold accident. Victim fell 3 floors when the

rig slipped and the cable gave way. Scaffold caved in and collapsed on him.

No fall

protection.

Equipment

failure.

Suspended

Scaffold 3 floors? 1 1 1

cbc.ca/canada/ottaw

a/story/2007/01/30/

window.html?ref=rss 1/30/2007

Ottawa,

Canada

Two window repairment were stranded 40 meters above the ground in -28 C weather

for two hours after the electric motor on their elevated scaffold malfunctioned.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


WABC 4/19/2007 New York, NY

Two workers were rescued after their scaffold partially collapsed on a building.

Eyewitness News is told the workers were 37 stories up when one side of the scaffold

partially collapsed. Both workers, who were wearing their safety harnesses, are alive

and okay.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


cbs5.com/local/colla

psed.scaffolding.dan

gling.2.604230.html 12/6/2007

San Fancisco,

CA

Three workers were left dangling from a collapsed scaffolding outside a high-rise

building undergoing construction in San Francisco. Ther were left dangling in midair

by safety harnesses between the 18th and 19th floors - but all were eventually

brought to safety. The building stands 22 stories high and workers were conducting

maintenance and cleaning at the time of the incident.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


newsvine.com/_new

s/2007/12/08/11496

90-no-safety-

harness… 12/7/2007 New York, NY

Their work platform gave way as they stepped onto it Friday from the roof of a 47-

story Upper East Side apartment building. A buildings official said the workers

apparently were not wearing safety harnesses.

No fall

protection.

Suspended


1/18/2008 Glendale, AZ

Two window washers were injured, one of them fatally, in a nearly three-story fall. The

two washers and the platform they were working on crashed to the ground.

No sound

anchorage. No

independent

fall protection.

Suspended



presep2008/april_20

08/msg00268.html 4/23/2008 Richmond, CA

Rig slipped from its anchoring near the top of a downtown Richmond office building.

Scaffold was dangling neat the roof of an 11 story building with a worker aboard.

Apparently the worker was able to get it level, lower it to the 6th floor, and then rappel

to the ground.

Equipment

failure

Suspended


Joel Foss 6/30/2008

Anaheim,

CA

The building had a carriage track mounted on the inside of the reinforced concrete

parapet wall. The window cleaning company had supplied a 30 foot transportable

platform. There were three window cleaners on the platform, all tied off with

independent safety lines, rope grabs and harnesses. All three safety lines were tied

off to a strongback or heavy steel horizontal memberr holding up the mechanical

screen on the rooftop. One of the rollers on one of the carriages bent over and then

popped off, causing the other rollers to all pop off. Both carriages went over the side,

one of the carriages hung up on the parapet wall, so the platform did not fall all the

way to the ground. All three men were saved by wearing their harnesses.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1

Robert

Giordano/design215.

com 8/13/2008

Fort

Lauderdale,

FL

Something broke or malfunctioned on a scaffold and two workers were left holding on

for their lives, fifteen floors up. One was still holding on to the scaffold while another

was dangling in mid air from the 17 story apartment building.

Equipment

failure

Suspended


nofallcompanyllc.blo

gspot.com/2008/08/f

irefighters-rescue-

dang… 8/15/2008

Edmonton,

Canada

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

building.

Equipment

failure.

Suspended

Scaffold. ? 1 1

nytimes.com/2008/0

8/28/nyregion/28win

dowwasher.html &

1010wins.com/print_

page.php?contentId=

2647458 8/28/2008 New York, NY

Early on Tuesday, two window washers who had been stuck on scaffolding outside a

Times Sqaure high-rise were pulled safely inside the building.

Equipment

malfunction.

Suspended


cbs5.com/local/wind

ow.washers.rescued.

2.812920.html 9/8/2008 San Jose, CA

Two window washers were stuck 9 stories above the ground after the scaffolding

holding them malfunctioned and refused to move.

Equipment

malfunction

Suspended


nydailynews.com/fdc

p?1277222554747 9/18/2008 New York, NY

Was installing a pane of glass on the 71st floor of a 78 story building when the brakes

failed on the platform holding the workers up. One end of the scaffold began to fall as

they hit the emergency brakes to stop their descent. The scaffold dropped to the florr

below and they dangled for about 30 minutes. The two workers were hooked up to

personal safety harnesses.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


myfoxdfw.com 11/13/2008 Dallas, TX

A basket used by workers to wash windows apparently malfunctioned atop the

Fountain Place building. Basket dropped several stories, shattering windows on its

way down, before becoming stuck at about the 46th floor. No workers on the

platform.

Equipment

failure

Suspended


OSHA Inspection

312898232 2/6/2009 Las Vegas, NV

The building exterior was not inspected prior to cleaning. Two employees were

observed outside the building washing windows from a swing stage. At the roof level

there was observed several holes in the edge of the parapet wall, also observed an

electrical cord and life lines in these holes without any padding to protect them from

abrasions or cuts. In addition, the lines from the swing stage were very close to the

gold light fixtures.

Failure to

protect ropes

and cables

from abrasion.

Working to

close to

electricity.

Suspended

Scaffold ? 1 1

signonsandiego.print

this.clickability.com/

pt/cpt?action=cpt&t

… 4/30/2009 San Diego, CA

Two window washers dangled for about 30 minutes from a broken scaffold outside the

11th floor of a 24 story building. The washers were stuck on the tilting scaffolding and

the scaffolding was blowing in the wind. A hydraulic motor malfunctioned, which

loosened one of the cables holding the scaffolding and caused the platform to tilt

vertically. The men were attached by harnesses to the scaffolding. The motor on the

scaffolding would not shut off and one end of the scaffolding flopped toward the

street.

Equipment

failure. No

independent

fall protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 24 floors 1 1 1 1 1

robinson-

solutions.blogspot.co

m/2009/07/scaffold-

accident-in-

kansas.html 7/9/2009

Kansas City,

KS

A 54 year old man was killed Wednesday morning. The man was hit on the head by

an 80 pound piece of metal that was supporting the scaffolding about five stories up.

They were adjusting the scaffolding, getting ready to move th scaffolding. While in

the process of doing so, a large piece of metal which holds the scaffolding up on the

roof, came unattached, fell down and hit the gentleman on the head. Apparently

safety bracing on the rooftop had been removed. Misuse

Suspended


nj.com 7/10/2009 Jersey City, NJ

Three building workers were stranded on a scaffold hundreds of feet above

Washington Blvd. for two hours yesterday when an electric cable broke. The men

were performing a routine inspection between the 32nd and 33rd floors of the 37 story

office building when their scaffold lost power. The twist-lock cable broke, fell out of

the basket, recoiled, and went through the window on the 34th floor.

Equipment

failure or

improper use.

Suspended


7/26/2009 Erie, PA

A window washer was stranded outside the fifth floor of a downtown building. He

could not move the mechanized basket in which he stood.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


blog.cleveland.com/n

ationworld_impact/p

rint.html?entry=/200

9/… 8/5/2009 Boston, MA

Two window washers clinging to a dangling platform 37 stories up on a 40 story

downtown Boston building were rescued by firefighters. Their hanging scaffolding

malfunctioned and one side of the basket dropped. The platform somehow shifted

downward on one side while the workers were cleaning windows on the 37th floor.

they were trapped on the platform until firefighters arrived.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


8/7/2009

Long Beach,

CA Two men were hanging from a broken window washing scaffolding.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1

myfoxdc by Claudia

Coffey 8/20/2009

Washington,

DC

A window washer had to be rescued after the scaffolding he was working on came

loose, stranding him above the 9th floor. The scaffolding was hanging vertically when

rescuers arrived. A couple of guys were dangling and screaming. By the time

rescuers arrived one worker had already climbed to safety, the other was still in

danger.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


myfoxtwincities.com

/dpp/news/window_

washer_dies… 9/3/2009

St. Louis Park,

MN

One window washer died and another was seriously injured after falling at Methodist

Hospital. The two contracted workers fell three stories from their scaffolding at the

hospital.

No fall

protection Scaffold 3 floors 1 1

khou.com/news/high-

drama-window-

washers-rescued… 12/8/2009 Houston, TX

Three workers rescued after a cable broke leaving their scaffolding dangling 10

stories high. Accident apparently caused by wind gusts up to 50 mph.

Equipment

failure. No

wind sway

protection.

Suspended

Scaffold 11 floors + 1 1 1 1

thestar.com/printarti

cle/847996 12/24/2009

Toronto,

Canada

Five men were making balcony repairs at an apartment building, when they

plummeted 13 stories to the ground. Four of them died and a fifth man was seriously

injured with two fractured legs and a broken spine. Charges have been filed and they

paint a picture of shoddy or absent maintenance and supervision, and a woeful lack

of safety training equipment. Charges allege failure to ensure workers use proper

devices to prevent them from falling...failure to ensure the platform overloaded (and)

failure to ensure the platform was designed in accordance with safety codes. There

are also allegations of inadequate training, instruction and supervision on fall

prevention, a failure to ensure that equipment supplied was in good condition and a

lack of proper maintenance and adequate inspection.

Misuse, failure

to train, no fall

protection

Suspended


ocregister.com/com

mon/printer/view.ph

p?db=ocregister&id=

233120 2/8/2010

Newport Beach,

CA

Two men were stranded outside the ninth floor of a medical building when the

platform they were working on suddenly gave out. One side of the metal platform

they were working on slipped free of the rope holding it. As the left side of th

scaffolding began to slip, you could see them falling. Each man grabbed hold of the

rope on his side and both appeared to be wearing harnesses. The platform was

dangling sideways beneath the men, suspended by just one rope.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


downtownseattle.ko

monews.com/conten

t/window-washers-

rescued-near-top-

sheraton 4/21/2010 Seattle, WA

Seattle fire crews rescued two window washers stranded near the 35th floor of the

Seattle Sheraton Hotel after their scaffolding got stuck at an angle.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


cbs2chicago.com/loc

al/window.washer.re

scue.2.1659944.html 4/27/2010 Chicago, IL

Firefighters rescued a window washer from a scaffold 26 floors above. The man was

ultimately brought down from the scaffold.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


njo.live.advance.net/

printer/printer.sst?/b

ase/news-

10/12748551422120

10.xml&coll=3 5/25/2010

Jersey City,

NJ

Two window washers dangled 17 stories above a Jersey City street after a cable on

their scaffold jammed yesterday and firefighters had to smash a window to rescue

them.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


nydailynews.com/ny

_local/2010/06/16/2

010-06-

16_fdny_firefighters

_rescue_window_wa

shers_dangling_from

_scaffold_in_dramati

c_manha.html 6/16/2010

New York,

NY

Two window washers were hoisted to safety after their scaffolding collapsed near the

top of a building. Firefighters tossed ropes from the roof of the seven-story office

building to reach the dangling workers.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


abclocal.go.com/ktrk

/story?section=news

/local&id=7507787&

p… &

khou.com/news/loca

l/window-washers-

stuck-45-stories-… 6/19/2010 Houston, TX

Three window washers escaped unharmed after getting stuck outside the 44th floor

of a Houston high-rise. The suspended scaffolding was headed back to the roof after

cleaning the windows on the way down. The workers were removing the intermittent

stabilization devices (isa) as they went back up. The motor did not stop when they

moved the switch to off and it kept pulling. The suspended scaffold railing hung up on

the cables from the isas and broke off part of the railing and the extension on the

right side of the scaffolding. The workers were wearing safety harnesses attached to

the scaffold. The third worker on the extension had to untie himself from the scaffold

and move to the middle prior to tying in again. Workers were rescued after the fire

department took out a window and brought them in to safety.

Equipment

failure. No

independent

fall protection

Suspended

Scaffolding 44+ floors 1 1 1 1

cbsatlanta.com/print

/24076755/detail.ht

ml 6/28/2010 Atlanta, GA

Two window repairmen were stuck 45 stories in the air. They were stuck several

hours after their scaffolding motor stopped working. No injuries reported.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


www.dnainfo.com/2

0100628/midtown-

west-hells-

kitchen/firefig… 6/28/2010

New York,

NY

Firefighters had to rescue a pair of window washers trapped 25 stories up the side of a

building. The workers had been cleaning the side of the building when their electrical

lifts's motor burnt out. Crews cut through a window to rescue them.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


dnainfo.com/201006

30/midtown-west-

hells-kitchen/two-… 6/30/2010

New York,

NY

Two men were washing windows 42 stories up near the roof of 1301 Sixth Ave.

around 10:30 am when the incident occurred. One of the motors that lifts the

platform up cables along side the building malfunctioned, causing the platform to tilt

at a dangerous angle. Luckily the workers were strapped to the platform. One worker

was able to grab a railing and pull himself to safety. Emergency responders were able

to lift the other window washer off the platform.

Equipment

Failure

Suspended


robinson-


m/2010_12_01_archi

ve.html 12/23/2010 Tulsa, OK

Window washers rescued after scaffolding broke in Tulsa, OK - Two men are safe after

being stuck high in the air Wednesday night. The window washers say their

scaffolding unit broke 80 feet in the air. The men were stuck on the side of the

building for about 20 minutes. Firefighters had to use their ladder to get them down.

Equipement

failure

Suspended

Scaffolding 80 feet 1 1

robinson-


m/2011_01_01_archi

ve.html 1/22/2011 Singapore

Two Chinese men cleaning windows in a gondola at the Maybank Tower became

trapped when one of the cables supporting the cleaning unit became entangled,

leaving the two men dangling at an angle.

Equipment

failure

Suspended

Scaffolding unknown 1 1

sfist.com/2011/08/0

4/sffd_rescues_wind

ow_washers_from_b

r.php 8/4/2011

San

Francisco,

CA

A window washing scaffold at 300 Berry St. in Mission Bay partially gave way, leaving

two workers dangling 14 stories up. Crews found the two workers hanging by their

harnesses from the scaffolding-which was practically vertical-one near the bottom of

the scaffolding and another near the top. Rescuers were able to pull the worker near

the top to the roof. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. A

spokesman for the SFFD didn't know whether the scaffold collapsed due to user error

or equipment malfunction.

equipment

failure

Suspended


robinson-


m/2011_10_01archiv

e.html 10/26/2011

Tanahabang

, Central

Jakarta,

Indonesia

A gondola window cleaning staging at Batavia Tower failed. At the present time the

reason of the cause of the collapse is unknown. However, due to the incident, one of

the workers was killed.

Unknown

cause

Suspended

Scaffolding 33+ floors 1

robinson-


m/2011_12_01_archi

ve.html 12/12/2011

New York,

NY

A worker ended up dangling six stories from the street when he had problems on his

window-washing scaffold. It happened during lunchtime Monday in Gramercy Park.

The unidentified man fell off the scaffolding but his safety harness kept him from

plunging to the street below. The NYPD was able to us a ladder to get to the man and

safely return him to the ground.

unknown

reason for his

fall from a

suspended

scaffold.

Suspended

Scaffolding 6+floors 1 1

https://www.osha.go

v/pls/imis/establish

ment.inspection_det

ail?id=316080266 3/7/2012 Atlanta, GA

Workers using two point suspended scaffold to power wash building had not received

training in the proper use of fall protection. Safety lines not protected from abrasion.

Suspended

Scaffold 10'8" 1 1

http://www.wisn.co

m/news/south-east-

wisconsin/milwaukee

/Window-washer-

rescued-from-

outside-NWM-

building/13404916 5/15/2012

Milwaukee,

WI Worker rescued from suspended Scaffold was rescued after having chest pains

Suspended

Scaffolding 19 floors 1

http://www.dnainfo.com/20100628/midtown-west-hells-kitchen/firefig…




http://www.660news

.com/2012/05/17/wi

nd-breaks-downtown-

windows-closes-

road/ 5/17/2012

Calgary,

Canada

Winds whipped the power cord to a suspended scaffold so that the cord broke several

windows on the building

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

http://www.edmont

onjournal.com/news

/calgary/window+wa

shers+hang+ropes+o

ver+downtown+Calg

ary+after+platform/6

763843/story.html 6/11/2012

Calgary,

Canada

Two window washers were rescued after their suspended scaffold collapsed leaving

them dangling 10 floors above the ground.

Suspended


http://chicago.cbsloc

al.com/2012/06/14/f

irefighters-rescue-

workers-dangling-

from-scaffold-on-

downtown-high-rise/ 6/14/2012 Chicago, IL

Two workers wer rescued from the 16th floor of the Garland Building after one of the

scaffold motors would not stop.

Suspended


http://www.thestand

ard.com.hk/news_de

tail.asp?we_cat=11&

art_id=123694&sid=3

6804953&con_type=

1&d_str=20120622&f

c=7 6/22/2012

Hong Kong,

China

Window cleaner fell to his death 16 floors outside the Tsim Sha Tsui hotel after his

gondola tilted and he was thrown out.

Suspended


https://gma.yahoo.c

om/blogs/abc-

blogs/window-

washers-rescued-

42nd-floor-nyc-high-

rise-173354218--abc-

news-topstories.html 7/12/2012

New York,

NY

Two workers rescued from the outside of the 42nd floor of a building after their

scaffold dangled at a 45 degree angle.

Suspended


http://www.fox10ph

oenix.com/story/191

16291/2012/07/26/d

ramatic-rescue-

shows-dangers-of-

window-washing-job 7/25/2012

Las Vegas,

NV

Window cleaners stuck 35 floors above the ground in 106 degree weather after their

suspended scaffold stalled

Suspended


http://seattletimes.c

om/html/localnews/

2018882677_apwaca

pitolcleaning.html 8/9/2012

Olympia,

WA Platform failed leaving one working dangling 40 feet up from side of the state capitol.

Suspended

Scaffold 40 feet 1 1

www.11alive.com/ne

ws/article/251531/4

0/Man-struck-while-

on-window-washing-

scaffold 8/10/2012 Atlanta, GA Window Cleaner struck by lightning while securing ropes to suspended scaffold

Suspended

Scaffold 1

http://news.stv.tv/sc

otland/150490-

workmen-trapped-in-

cradle-on-the-side-of-

university-building/ 8/15/2012

Aberdeen,

Scotland Three workers rescued after scaffold suffered a mechanical failure.

Suspended


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/calgary/Quick+moving+storm+brings+hail+high+winds+through+Calgary/7089732/story.html

8/16/2012 Calgary, Canada

two window washers were rescued from a scaffold during a storm in downtown

Calgary. The rig was stuck 20 floors up. They were brought in through a window by

the fire department.

Suspended


http://www.woai.co

m/news/local/story/

Window-washer-

trapped-outside-high-

rise-

breaks/p4Z3RvZaGEC

aDlFlEEFy0A.cspx 10/1/2012

San

Antonio, TX

a window cleaner was stuck at the 10th floor on a suspended scaffold in downtown

San Antonio. Storms were approaching and he broke glass to escape inside.

Suspended


http://www.nbcsandi

ego.com/news/local/

Crews-Rescue-

Worker-Hanging-

From-Platform-

174286781.html 10/16/2012

San Diego,

CA

a maintenance worker who was wearing a harness was rescued from a scaffold

dangling on the side of a 15 story beachfront condo. He was rescued through a

balcony

Suspended


http://www.thenatio

nal.ae/news/uae-

news/abu-dhabi-

cleaners-trapped-for-

four-hours-before-

plunging-to-death 10/18/2012

Abu Dhabi,

UAE

two window cleaners were trapped on a maintenance scaffold 15 floors above the

street for four hours before it collapsed and killed both of them.

Suspended


http://www.thenatio

nal.ae/news/uae-

news/trapped-

window-cleaners-

rescued-from-abu-

dhabi-high-rise 10/31/2012

Abu Dhabi,

UAE

Police smashed through windows on the 23rd floor to rescue tow window cleaners

who became trapped on scaffold. Scaffold had been blowing in the wind.

Suspended


http://deerfield.chica

gotribune.com/news

/16277281-

418/window-washer-

rescued-from-

seventh-floor-in-

deerfield.html 11/9/2012 Deerfield, IL window cleaner was rescued from a scaffold stuck on the 7th floor of a building.

Suspended


http://robinson-


m/2013/02/42nd-

floor-drama-of-new-

york-cleaners.html 2/16/2013

New York,

NY

window cleaners were dangling 500 feet above the street when the scaffold holding

them lurched and tilted at a 45 degree angle.

Suspended

Scaffold 700 feet 1 1 1

http://www.libyaher

ald.com/2013/04/16

/window-cleaner-

falls-to-his-death-at-

the-corinthia/ 4/15/2013

Tripoli,

Libya

Egyptian window cleaner died after his scaffold crashed down from the 11th floor

onto the roof of the hotel foyer.

Suspended


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/calgary/Quick+moving+storm+brings+hail+high+winds+through+Calgary/7089732/story.html

http://www.10news.

com/web/kgtv/news

/crews-work-to-

rescue-window-

washer-in-downtown-

san-diego05202013 5/20/2013

San Diego,

CA

Window Washers rescued outside the 22nd floor from malfunctioning scaffold on a 23

story building.

Suspended


http://newyork.cbslo

cal.com/2013/06/12/

scaffold-collapses-on-

midtown-high-rise/ 6/12/2013

New York,

NY

Workers trapped outside the 45th floor of the 46 floor Hearst Tower. They were from

the scaffold manufacturer and were performing maintenance. The scaffold collapsed

in the middle and the workers were rescued by the fire department when they cut out

holes in the windows.

Suspended


http://www.stltoday.

com/news/local/met

ro/window-washer-

injured-in-platform-

collapse-in-richmond-

heights/article_2de2

478f-1f53-5a99-be4a-

912c393ef53a.html 6/20/2013

Richmond

Heights, MO

a window washer was injured when the platform he and three other workers were

standing on collapsed outside the 4th floor.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

http://www.sacbee.c

om/2013/09/13/573

3220/window-

washing-rig-hangs-

from.html 9/13/2013

San

Francisco,

CA

San Francisco fire crews secured a window washing rig that was dangling at the 41st

floor

Suspeded


http://www.dailyadv

ertiser.com.au/story/

1784681/window-

washers-stranded-on-

high-rise-building/ 9/18/2013 Parramatta, New South Wales

Firefighters rescued two window washers who were stranded on the side of a high

rise building.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

http://www.emirates

247.com/news/emira

tes/window-cleaning-

gear-falls-from-32-

storey-tecom-tower-

no-deaths-two-hurt-

2013-10-29-1.526172 10/31/2013 Tecom, UAE

Unoccupied Window Cleaning Scaffold falls 32 floors killing one person on the ground

and causing lots of property damage.

Suspended


http://patch.com/ne

w-

jersey/parsippany/pa

rsippany-window-

washer-rescued-after-

being-trapped-5-

stories-up 1/2/2014 Paramus, NJTwo window washers rescued after their scaffold tipped.

Suspended


http://blogs.seattleti

mes.com/today/201

4/01/window-washer-

falls-50-feet-off-

seattle-building/ 1/6/2014 Seattle, WA

Man fell 50 feet from a scaffolding. He was an iron worker. He had unclipped his

safety gear when moving from the scaffolding to the top of the building

Suspended


https://www.osha.go

v/pls/imis/establish

ment.inspection_det

ail?id=974909.015 4/25/2014

New

Orleans, LA

Suspended scaffold power climber hoist assembly malfunctioned, causing one side of

the scaffold to fall.

Suspended

Scaffolding 1 1

http://robinson-


m.es/2014/04/scaffol

d-rescue-in-

memphis.html?m=1 4/29/2014

Memphis,

TN

A few men were rescued after their scaffold fell to an approximately 45 degree angle.

One motor apparently got stuck.

Suspended


http://www.smh.co

m.au/nsw/window-

cleaners-left-

dangling-15-metres-

up-in-sydney-cbd-

after-cable-snaps-

20140530-

398ak.html#ixzz33BH

6kowq 5/30/2014

Sydney,

Australia

Two window cleaners were rescued after a cable broke on the scaffold they were

using.

Suspended

Scaffold about 100' 1 1

http://thescoopblog.

dallasnews.com/201

4/05/from-71-stories-

above-downtown-

dallas-a-terrifying-

look-at-how-window-

washers-deal-with-a-

jammed-lift.html/ 5/30/2014 Dallas, TX PI stops functioning and workers are left hanging out from roof.

Suspended


http://robinson-


m/2014/06/window-

washer-rescue-in-

maryland.html 6/4/2014

Bethesda,

MD Scaffold collapses leaving two workers dangling more than 75 feet above the ground

Suspended


http://www.miamihe

rald.com/news/local/

community/broward

/article1960213.html 6/12/2014

Ft.

Lauderdale,

FL Scaffold Collapse leaves worker dangling under bridge

Suspended


http://www.dailymai

l.co.uk/news/article-

2714255/Hanging-

balance-Cleaners-

stranded-work-

Austrias-tallest-tower-

maintenance-

platform-slips-nearly-

90-

degrees.html?ito=soc

ial-facebook 8/2/2014

Vienna,

Austria Two window cleaners left stranded when platform went almost 90 degrees.

Suspended

Scaffold 250 metres 1 1

http://m.newson6.co

m/story.aspx?story=

26191444&catId=112

042 8/4/2014 Tulsa, OK

Window cleaners stranded for over an hour on the side of a high rise building when a

power cord became unplugged.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1

http://nypost.com/2

014/08/11/window-

washers-left-dangling-

21-stories-up-on-high-

rise/ 8/11/2014

New York,

NY Workers left dangling 21 stories up when switch goes bad on scaffold.

Suspended


http://www.utsandie

go.com/news/2014/s

ep/29/east-village-

block-scaffolding-

window-mark-

condos/ 9/30/2014

San Diego,

CA

Part of a window washing sytem came loose fro a roof and smashed an upper level

window.

Suspended

Scaffold 1 1 1

http://www.nbclosan

geles.com/news/loca

l/Window-Washer-

Rescue-Irvine-Office-

Building-

277770952.html 10/2/2014 Irvine, CA

Window Washers rescued after scaffold becomes stuck 225 feet above the ground on

a 19 story building. A cable failed.

Suspended


http://blog.sfgate.co

m/stew/2014/10/02/

window-washers-in-

oakland-high-rise-

rescue/ 10/2/2014 Oakland, CA

Two window washers were rescued after they were left dangling from the 24 story

building after their scaffold equipment failed

Suspended


http://www.nydailyn

ews.com/new-

york/window-washer-

nyc-hospital-stuck-

article-1.1999115 11/4/2014

New York,

NY Two workers left dangling outside the 22nd floor when scaffold malfunctions

Suspended

Scaffold 22+floors 1 1 1

http://www.thenatio

nal.ae/uae/drone-

deployed-to-assist-

stranded-abu-dhabi-

window-cleaner 11/4/2014

Abu Dhabi,

UAE Window Washer left stranded on a suspended scaffold is helped by a drone

Suspended


http://news.yahoo.c

om/window-washers-

trapped-scaffold-1-

world-trade-center-

182059950.html 11/12/2014

New York,

NY

Cable on scaffold at One World Trade Center malfunctions leaving scaffold hanging

almost vertically. Rescuers cut out window to bring window cleaners to safety

Suspended

Scaffold 1776 feet 1 1 1

http://abc13.com/ne

ws/window-washer-

rescued-from-

dangling-

scaffolding/394213/ 11/13/2014 Houston, TX Motor failure on suspended scaffold leaves window washers stranded.

Suspended


http://sanfrancisco.c

bslocal.com/2014/11

/21/man-falls-from-

building-onto-car-in-

san-franciscos-

financial-district/ 11/21/2014

San

Francisco,

CA

Window Washer fell from roof onto moving car. He was setting up equipment on the

roof for a suspended scaffold but was not using fall protection.

Suspended


http://www.indepen

dent.co.uk/news/wor

ld/americas/video-

watch-the-rescue-of-

two-chilean-window-

cleaners-left-

dangling-from-21st-

floor-of-hotel-

9887840.html 11/29/2014

Santiago,

Chile Cable snapped on suspended scaffold leaving two workers dangling until rescue.

Suspended


Totals 186 150 47 6 11 5 30 19 18

*IMIS Abstracts are verbatim from IMIS database except company and employee names have been removed and replaced with non-specific wording.

My Analysis

81% of all accidents involving Suspended Scaffolding involved Equipment Failure. I do

not believe it is possible to attribute the equipment failure to misuse or any other

cause without more evidence. This suggests to me that it is very critical to be very

diligent in maintaining and inspecting equipment on a regular basis, but that may not

be enough to prevent incidents.

Due to the high percentage of incidences involving equipment failure; I would be

more inclined to use Rope Descent Systems at any height over Suspended Scaffolding,

because it appears that it offers a much greater degree of safety and individual

control over that issue when other safety procedures are followed.

Some of the incidents involved workers being tied off to the stage instead of to an

independent safety line. In my opinion, this should not be allowed.

It should be noted that 20% of these incidents occurred in New York and California

where Rope Access is restricted.