How Your Company Can Best Protect Workers From Falls
Companies must take appropriate measures for window washers and suspended access workers to be safe as these work on their buildings
Keisha Winston
Window Washer Safe After Dramatic Rescue From 53rd Floor Of River North Building
A Chicago window washer recently faced a harrowing situation. Fire crews rescued the window washer after one of his two support ropes broke, he fell two floors, and was left hanging from a 54-floor building, according to the Chicago Sun Times. Heavy winds, rains and lightning added to the urgency of rescuing the desperate window washer from the 33 W Ontario Street building. A special operations team went to the roof and pulled the man over 80 feet to the roof after initial efforts to pull him inside a window did not work.
This window washer was fortunate that adequate anchors were available and that the local fire department was trained and ready to rescue the standard worker. And even though the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration requires employers to provide prompt rescue of their employees, the employer or building owner that assumes that the local fire department will rescue standard workers may still find themselves legally liable for workers’ safety. That’s why Summit Anchor Company has trained both our installation supervisor and project manager by 3M for competent person rescue at height. Why? Because employers are responsible for worker safety measures.
What else does OSHA require regarding roof anchors? OSHA says that building owners must provide written notice that a qualified person has certified, tested and maintained that each building anchor can support 5,000 pounds, in any direction the anchorage may be used.
Another point that shouldn’t be missed: The window washer working in those dangerous conditions put that Chicago building management company under scrutiny. Building managers and window washing company owners can and have been held accountable for unsafe practices and working conditions. No building owner wants its property to have a reputation as an unsafe place for workers.
That Chicago window washer lives to tell the tale. But the takeaway here is clear: It is vital that facility managers and building owners prepare for adequate safety systems for contractors working at heights on their buildings. Summit Anchor provides building anchors for window washers and other contractors working at heights to safely secure their lines. At Summit Anchor, we’ve provided competent person fall protection training that meets OSHA standards so that our installers, shop and office workers alike know best safety standards and can work safely. And our roof anchors are some of the best in the industry: Summit Anchors are designed to support a 5,000 pound capacity without adverse effects.
Our consultants collaborate with building managers, architects and designers to provide complete and proactive solutions for fall protection safety. Let us work with you. Contact Summit Anchor today to discuss your fall protection needs.
Trust Summit Anchor Company, safety from the top down.
Written by Keisha Winston
