Two Window Washers Rescued In Manhattan

Window Washers Rescued from Scaffold Stuck 21 Floors Up Federal Building in their gondola outside the 21st floor of 290 Broadway in lower Manhattan.

Window washers left dangling 21 stories up on high-rise: Two window-washers were left trapped 21 stories up after their scaffolding got stuck outside a high-rise federal building in Lower Manhattan on Monday, authorities said. The two workers were washing windows at the 32-story Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway just after 1 p.m. when they ran into trouble, officials said. “The scaffold wasn’t budging, and these guys were really high up there,” a fire department source said. “We had to drop ropes down to them to secure the scaffold in the event that it gave way.”

Firefighters wound up having to use a glass-cutter to remove two windowpanes on the 21st floor so that they could pull the workers inside the building and back to safety. “The scaffold was swinging back and forth as they stepped off it. It would have been a long way down if they fell,” said witness Chioma Onyekwere, 25, who works across the street. “I definitely panicked a little when I saw the guys trying to sneak through the hole they cut in the window.

Authorities say the men were trapped on the malfunctioning scaffold for nearly 40 minutes. “There’s a mercury switch on every window-washing scaffold that regulates the level so the scaffold isn’t affected by wind or other factors,” said Fire Chief Dan Donahue. “Once that mercury switch breaks, the whole thing goes into safety mode and basically shuts down.” Both window washers refused medical treatment, according to authorities.

Firefighters secured the contract workers using ropes and cut through a 21st story window.

Window Washers Rescued From Scaffold Stuck 21 Floors Up Federal Building (CIVIC CENTER): Firefighters cut through windows to rescue two men trapped on a scaffold hanging from the 21st floor of a lower Manhattan building, officials said. The window washers were stuck far above Reade Street, alongside the Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway, when the scaffold appeared to suffer a mechanical failure about 1 p.m., the FDNY said. "Two employees were indeed out on a scaffold and they were unable to move the scaffold up or down. Basically, they were stuck," FDNY Deputy Chief Dan Donoghue said at the scene.

Firefighters secured the contract workers using ropes and cut through a 21st story window. ''We used a glass cutter," Donoghue said. "We had two panes of glass. We cut one pane, we cut the other pane.'' The workers were not injured, he said. ''They were fine. They were just stuck." The scaffolding was tested Monday morning before the mishap and has no history of malfunction, a spokeswoman for the General Services Administration, which manages the federal building, said. "It has been taken out of service and is currently being evaluated to determine what caused today’s problem and what corrective action is necessary," Renee Miscione said.

The building houses offices for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others. Elizabeth Nembhard, 24, watched the FDNY save the workers. "The firefighters cut the window and pulled the scaffolding closer to let them in," she said. "The workers walked really slowly and then just disappeared. It was really suspenseful. I started praying to God.'' 

New York Window Washers Rescued - 46th Floor Hearst Tower

Two window washers are stuck outside the 46th floor of the skyscraper as rescuers stuggle to save them.

Window washers dangling outside 46th floor of legendary Hearst building - Window washers hung out to dry: 2 workers hang perilously above Midtown Manhattan after scaffolding collapses as rescuers race to their aid. Two window washers were dangling from outside the 46th story of a midtown skyscraper Wednesday afternoon, after their scaffolding suddenly collapsed, authorities said.

Firefighters were still trying to rescue the trapped workers after they were called to the Hearst building on W. 57th St. and Eighth Ave. about 2:45 p.m., said authorities. The workers were cleaning windows on the side of the building, officials said. It was not immediately clear what may have caused the accident.

The two were cleaning windows when their scaffolding gave way.

Scaffold Collapses On Hearst Tower In Midtown - 2 Window Washers Trapped About 45 Stories Above The Ground (NEW YORK) – Two window washers are trapped on a collapsed scaffold high above the streets of Midtown Manhattan. The window washers are trapped near the 45th floor of the Hearst Tower at 57th Street and 8th Avenue. The long, metallic scaffold appears to have buckled in the middle, creating a “V”-shape. The window washers appear to be on either side of the site of the buckling. They seem to be resting comfortably and communicating with firefighters above. Footage from the scene showed the two men wearing harnesses on the scaffold and firefighters nearby at the top of the building, which is 46 stories tall. Firefighters have stretched a safety line to at least one of the workers. Two firefighters can be seen lying on their stomachs at the top of the tower, observing the situation below. The collapse began at around 2:40 p.m.

Dozens of firefighters responded to the scene to try to rescue the men, who are conscious and communicating with responders. Firefighters could be seen on the roof of the tower as well as behind the windows on a floor level with the platform. Both men are wearing safety harnesses. The first responders have lowered additional lines to them.

The FDNY has responded and is undertaking a “high angle rescue.” Firefighters are opening a window on the 44th floor to bring the workers to safety, the FDNY said via Twitter. Wind gusts are a significant factor for effecting the rescue. Wind gusts were at least 25-30 mph at street level, CBS 2′s Vanessa Murdock reported. Gusts at 46 stories are expected to be stronger. 57th Street is closed eastbound from 8th to 9th Avenue and westbound from 7th to 9th Avenue. The Hearst Building is famous for its unusual triangular framing pattern. The framing required a different type of window washing apparatus, manufactured by Tractel-Swingstage, according to a published report. The apparatus is suspended by six wire ropes to the anchoring mechanism above, according to the report. The scaffolding is monitored by a series of dozens of sensors, according to the report.

New York Window Cleaning & Elevated Work Accidents

NYPD And FDNY Squabbled Over Scaffolding Rescue: On Friday, the FDNY and NYPD pulled off a dramatic rescue after three window washers were suddenly clinging to life on scaffolding that broke outside a building, 15 stories above 65th Street street. Except it turns out that the 10 minute rescue wasn't exactly pulled off in simpatico: police and firefighters launched separate rescue efforts concurrently, and have been trading barbs about it ever since.

Emergency Service Unit Detectives James Coll rappelled down the side of the building to the workers while a colleague monitored him from the roof. At the same time, firefighters entered a 17th-floor apartment to rescue the men through the windows. In the end, both were necessary to rescuing the workers. But FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Massucci argued in the press that Coll took an unnecessary risk: “I didn’t see the need for him to put himself in harm’s way...The city protocol is that FDNY has all life, safety and rescue operations." Coll retorted: “Well, we’re trained to do this. We have some of the best training and the best equipment to do this.”

Glenn P. Corbett, an associate professor of fire science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told the Times that the lack of coordination was ridiculous: “This is an ongoing issue that’s been around for a long time, and I think the real critical part is that we were told, several years ago, that the citywide incident management system fixed this, and it did not fix it,” he said. “This was an issue on 9/11, with separate command posts for the Police and Fire Departments, and there continue to be instances where coordination is missing now.” Such as the 911 response system.

New York City Window Washing Accident: In New York City, window washer accidents, like ladder fall accidents, may occur even if the worker takes adequate precautions. In the event of window washing injuries or death, New York has special legal protections for window washers. Window washing is inherently risky because it is done at dangerous heights. In New York City, window washer accidents, like ladder fall accidents, may occur even if the worker takes adequate precautions. In the event of window washing injuries or death, New York has special legal protections for window washers.

Laws that Protect New York Window Washers from Window Washing Injuries and Death: New York state laws require window washer employers to provide their window washing employees with sufficient training and appropriate safety equipment.  The two laws which specifically protect window washers are New York Labor Law Section 240 and New York Labor Law Section 202. If violated these laws provide the basis for a lawsuit. New York Labor Law Section 240, also known as New York's Scaffold Law, protects all workers who work at elevated heights, including window washers. Under this law, building owners and general contractors are obligated to provide workers with proper protection against gravity-related accidents in New York, such as a fall from a ladder. Required safety measures can include secure ladders, anchorage points, safety vests, lifelines, and harnesses. Section 240 places "strict liability" on the part of the property owner and general contractor in the event

• 1. A laborer suffers window washing injuries or death as a result of not having proper protections.
• 2. A ladder, scaffold or other raised work platform is defective and causes the window washer to fall from a height sufficient to cause injury or death.

The term 'strict liability' means that the property owner or contractor may be held liable for compensatory damages paid to the injured window washer, even if the window washer was partially negligent and/or using his own tools. New York Labor Law Section 202 requires owners of buildings, managing agents, window washer employers to provide and require use of proper protection and safety devices to clean exteriors of buildings. More specifically, the owner of a building in New York must have structural features and anchors or other fixed devices on the building for the window washer's protection prior to allowing a worker to clean a window. This means that, according to the law, window washers should not even be permitted to clean unless proper protection is provided. Window washing must be done in a safe manner in conformity with the law's requirements and the rules of the board of standards and appeals.

Workers injured in New York window washing accidents should contact a New York work accident lawyer who has experience representing the victims of a wide variety of manual labor injuries, including those stemming from window washing accidents. If a window washer gets injured due to a violation of these laws, he or she may be entitled to receive compensation for lost wages, medical bills, reduced earning capacity and for pain, suffering and disability. If you are a window washer injured in a fall, don't assume you only have New York Workers' Compensation to cover your medical care and loss of earnings. You may be entitled to seek significant money damages for your window washing injuries. It is important for window washers to clearly understand their full legal rights following New York City window washer accidents.

Injuries Sustained From Workers that Wash Windows: Window washing accidents can occur because of a number of factors. Injuries are caused by faulty or insufficient safety devices. Poor worker training is also a cause of many manual labor injuries. Scaffold and ladder fall injuries are often very serious because they involve falls from heights. Common window washing injuries (ladder fall and scaffold fall) include back injuries, head injuries, severe fractures, spinal cord injuries or broken bones. After a scaffold or ladder fall accident, even an experienced window washer may suddenly be unable to ever work again. A number of victims of New York City window washing accidents suffer fatal injuries.

Victims of New York City window washer accidents and/or their families need to understand their rights.

Scaffolding Rescue In Manhattan

Three window washers were saved from scaffolding that collapsed on an upper East Side building.

High drama! Construction workers rescued from scaffold collapse: Three construction workers were rescued from outside the 17th-floor window of an upper East Side building Friday — after their scaffolding suddenly collapsed in the air, sources said. Firefighters raced to backside of the E. 66th St. high-rise near Third Ave. after the three workers were spotted dangling from the scaffolding — which was hanging on a 75-degree angle — about 10:15 a.m., officials said. Officers from the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit also arrived at the scene and one of the cops flipped over the roof and rappelled down the wall to get to assist the stranded workers, police said. Within 10 minutes — and after a crew of firefighters secured the scaffolding on the roof — the emergency workers pulled all three men to safety through nearby windows, Battalion 10 Chief Michael Massucci said.

Firefighters rescue one of three workers from scaffolding after it collapsed on the 17th floor of a building on East 66th Street in Manhattan.

One of the workers, a 35-year-old man, was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. The other two men, ages 45 and 47, were not hurt. Sources said a cable may have slipped from a motor mount on the roof, causing one side of the rig to fall from the 21-story building. Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings are trying to determine the exact cause. Massucci, a 22-year veteran of the FDNY, said the men survived because they were all wearing their safety harnesses. The workers were doing brick work on the facade of the building.

Scaffolding rescue in Manhattan: Emergency crews responded to the scene of a scaffolding accident at E. 65th St. and Third Ave. in Manhattan. Three people were rescued from the scaffolding, which apparently broke loose at approximately 10 stories up, said FDNY officials. One person was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital and two others refused treatment. The people rescued were reportedly washing windows when a rope attached to the scaffolding snapped. Video from the scene showed one person safely moved by emergency personnel off the scaffolding and through a window. The scaffolding was hanging at a 45 degree angle from the side of the building. SkyFoxHD was over the scene at about 11 a.m. where FDNY, NYPD and other emergency personnel could be seen on the ground and on the roof of the building. Crews appeared to be attempting to move the scaffolding to the roof.

Window cleaners left hanging off building as scaffold snaps: In dramatic scenes in New York, three window cleaners dangling from scaffolding high above a Manhattan street have been pulled to safety by police and firefighters. The men were working on 17th floor windows when one side of the scaffolding slipped dropping that end of scaffolding two floors down. While police were lowered to reach the men, firefighters forced their way into an apartment, and after removing two windows, helped pull the officer and the workers to safety. One of the workers was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Three construction workers were rescued from a scaffolding collapse on the 65th Street side of Manhattan House between Second and Third avenues earlier today, the New York Daily News reported. Two of the men had no reported injuries and the third was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital for minor injuries. The three men were seen dangling from the scaffolding at 10:15 this morning. The scaffolding was outside a 17th floor window and hanging at a 75-degree angle, according to the News. Emergency workers pulled the men to safety through nearby windows. The city’s Department of Buildings issued a partial stop work order at Manhattan House, at 200 East 66th Street, today, according to the agency’s website. Sources told the Daily News that a cable slip from the rooftop motor mount may be the culprit, though the cause is still under investigation. Fox reported the men were washing windows, while the News said the men were doing brick work on the building’s facade.

Safety Harnesses Save Two Window Cleaners - New York

FDNY makes Brooklyn rescue of window washers hangin' by a prayer: Two window washers were left dangling 30 feet above a Brooklyn street Monday when the scaffolding they were standing on collapsed in high winds. Antonio Rojas, 47, and Carlos Caseres (pictured left), 41, were both wearing their safety harnesses, preventing them from plummeting to the Flatlands street more than three stories below. "My first instinct was to grab the rope and stay calm," said Rojas, who has been washing windows for 26 years. "That's what you have to do ... If you lose your calmness, that's when things go wrong." The wooden, manually operated scaffolding was connected to the roof of the Kings Highway building by a pair of ropes, one of which gave way just before 2 p.m. on the blustery early spring day. As their frantic co-workers called 911, the two men could only pray the remaining rope would hold as they clung to it for nearly 15 minutes. "No one wants to die like this," said Rojas. "We're lucky this time."
Firefighters secured the men with a second rope from the roof. They then used a ladder to reach the men and pull them to safety. "The scaffolding was like a trap door and it gave way," said Chief Donald Howard of Battalion 33. "Without the harness, they would have fallen and landed on a metal picket fence."
The Buildings Department issued two violations to the building owner for use of rigging equipment without a rigger's license and failure to safeguard all persons and property during construction operations, officials said.