(Newswire.net — September 22, 2020) — The skyscrapers of New York shine like beacons of light and hope in the night sky. During the day, the windows reflect the hustle and bustle of pedestrians and vehicles hurrying about the city. Windows are a significant part of the personality of the city of New York.
But how do all of these many thousands of windows get cleaned when they’re hundreds of feet in the air? It is no easy task. Each day, hundreds of workers risk their lives to clean and wash the windows of skyscrapers.
How Do They Avoid Falling?
Window washers take pride in a job well done, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t aware of the danger of their profession. Window washing accidents do occur, though deaths are fairly rare. According to the International Window Cleaning Association, between 2010 and 2014 there was only one death each year.
In the past, window washers simply stood on window ledges and exercised caution. Today, there are several different types of equipment used for washing windows safely. Most commonly, window washers now use large mobile platforms or a single chair mechanism anchored to the roof, which can lower a washer one floor at a time.
Window washers begin every workday by carefully inspecting their safety equipment. They are forbidden from using their cellphones or radios to listen to music so they won’t be distracted, which would increase their risk of being in an accident.
Protections for Window Washers
Window washers have the right to be safe as they clean windows and maintain the beauty of the city skyline. The state of New York has therefore taken steps to preserve the safety of hard-working window washers with legislation. Many people refer to this law as the scaffold law, which is contained in New York State Labor Law Section 240/241.
If a fall from scaffolding or a ladder causes injury to a worker, the worker can take legal action. The scaffold law protects the working conditions of window washers and other staff that clean the exterior of buildings.
This law mandates that the managers, lessees, agents and owners of every public building provide safe methods for cleaning the windows. These laws also require that safety regulations adhere to all building requirements such as building anchors and safety equipment.
Window Washing Accidents
Even when equipment is properly installed, accidents do happen. After all, window washers are just like any other worker. They can get tired or distracted, too. They can also be injured if they fail to perform equipment checks because they are in a rush.
A window washing accident can be very serious, though they are not anywhere near as common as they once were. In New York in 1922, approximately one out of every 200 skyscraper window washers died. These accidents can end in death or permanent disabilities. In some cases, accidents happen even though the window washer was careful.
Here are some common causes of window washing accidents:
- Cleaning windows in unsafe weather, such as a storm
- Defective safety harnesses
- Exceeding equipment weight limits
- Failure to inspect, maintain, or update and replace defective equipment
- Failure to meet structural regulations
- Failure to provide properly secured scaffolds and ladders
- Lack of anchorages, tiebacks, and other equipment
- Not supplying regulation harnesses, safety belts, and safety ropes
If you were injured while you were washing windows or a loved one perished, the accident may have happened because the window washing company failed to safely maintain their equipment and other property. If this is the case, click here to find an expert that can prove liability.
If you were a victim of a window washing accident that you believe was caused by the window washing company you work for, you may want to call an attorney. You may also want to seek legal counsel if your loved one was killed in a fatal window washing accident. A lawyer can help you prove that the accident was caused by the company’s negligence.
