Real-life Scenario
Window Washer and Assistant Fall From Roof
A window washer's helper died after falling 40 feet from the roof of a medical office building. The helper was stationed on the roof to move a window washing carriage and assist the window washer, who worked from a boatswain's chair as he cleaned the windows of the 4-story building.
The window washer seated himself in the boatswains' chair and positioned himself over the edge of the roof's parapet. He then "bounced" in the boatswain's chair to make sure it was set to go. Because the carriage was not tied down and did not have counterweights attached, the carriage was pulled over the rooftop's parapet. Both workers had their fall arrest harnesses secured to the carriage. The window washer fell straight down while the helper was pulled from the roof by the carriage and struck the ground head-first. The local emergency medical unit was summoned immediately. The window washer's helper died from his injuries at the scene and the window washer suffered multiple severe injuries.
- Anyone working on, or from a roof with a fall exposure should be tied off with a safety line. The safety line should be attached to a specifically engineered independent anchorage point.
- All persons who work at heights, should be trained, educated, and knowledgeable in all aspects of the safe use of their tools and equipment and be made aware of all the hazards related to their job.
- Work safety and fall protection plans should be developed and implemented at all work sites.
- Employers need to effectively supervise and coach employees who have little or no experience in performing high-risk jobs.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-11. When working on a roof with a fall exposure, safety lines must be attached to _____.
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