Investigating The Dangers Of Older Glass Windows

Investigating The Dangers Of Older Glass Windows.

Investigating The Dangers Of Older Glass Windows (Pittsburgh) — When Michael Racky leaned up against a storefront window, the window gave way. Shards of glass cut him like a knife, killing the 52-year-old father. “I have to wake up every day realizing I will never see him again,” says daughter Meghan Racky. That store front window was broken and the crack was held together with tape. That’s a no-no and a big safety hazard. “This is a dangerous situation,” says window expert Mark Meshulam.

Meshulam says any broken window — especially in older buildings like those in Pittsburgh — can pose a risk. When he checked out windows in downtown Pittsburgh he found several broken windows in the City County building. “I think if there’s enough wind, and just right rattling, that one piece could break free and it could take flight,” remarks Meshulam while looking at a cracked pane of glass in the first floor window.

Back in 2012, glass from a window on the eighth floor of the City County Building fell out and came crashing down onto Grant Street. “The glass is cracked but we have greater safety issues where whole panels are falling out of buildings,” says Mike Gable with the city of Pittsburgh. We brought the broken window issue to the attention of the city of Pittsburgh. Gable says the city is responsible for close to 300 buildings and they have one person who fixes the glass. City officials tell KDKA they don’t deem the nine broken panes of glass we found to be an emergency.

“Well I can’t say that, there are work orders. I can’t tell you if there are work orders for all nine panes of glass, but our facilities people are aware of it and we will do the best we can to get them replaced,” Gable said when asked if they would be fixed any time soon. Over at the county courthouse, there were several broken windows as well. The county is responsible for the windows in more than 120 main buildings, including the courthouse, which dates back to 1888.

“Just in the past two years, we have spent $12,000 just for the glass,” says Doug Nolfi, Director of Facility Maintenance for Allegheny County. After informing the county of the broken windows at the courthouse — the building was inspected. One window was fixed immediately. Some of the windows are so old, the glass needs to be specially ordered.

Officials with the city and county say both buildings are currently being evaluated from top to bottom on how to make them more energy efficient, and that could include new glass for every window.

City and county officials say they do inspect their buildings on a regular basis looking for problems, but they rely on the public and employees to report issues.

Familiarity Diminishes Fright Factor

Rusty Liberatore prepares to begin washing windows on a building high above Pittsburgh city streets.

Familiarity diminishes fright factor of ‘creepy’ jobs: Being suspended 200 feet above ground is enough to make many people tremble, but for Rusty Liberatore, the thrill is the reason he started his window washing business. The sight of blood and dead bodies can terrify some people, but it’s just a part of the job for Servpro estimator Tom Apel. And though death usually elicits emotions of dread, sadness and grief, it also presents funeral director Jim Atticks an opportunity to serve the community. Though Halloween is a time to celebrate frightful sights and creepie crawlies, people who regularly deal with scary situations have leaned to manage any fear they might experience.

Fear can take many forms and affect people in different ways, said Jill Fischer, a psychologist at Integrity Psychological Services in Monroeville. Though some people avoid what they fear, others make it their life’s work to try and conquer it, said Fischer, who specializes in stress management. When Liberatore is rapelling down a 20-story building on a tiny wooden platform, his emotions — like his feet — are dangling somewhere between terrified and elated. “I was always thrilled by heights,” he said. “There’s always a sense of fear.”

New employees with his business rappel from the roof of his business as a training exercise, but he said that doesn’t prepare them for a job in downtown Pittsburgh, when they’re swinging like a pendulum 18 stories up, “cooking” in the summer sun. “A lot of them,” he said, “just turn away and say, ‘I’m sorry. This isn’t for me.’” People often tell him that whatever he’s being paid, “it’s not enough.”

New members of the crew start off at about $12 per hour, but there are perks to the job, such as college girls blowing kisses through their dorm windows and clients plastering “thank you” notes to the window. Liberatore — whose Penn Hills-based Liberatore Inc. is a member of the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce — admits that while it is a thrill, parts of the job are scary. There’s the fear of being electrocuted by power lines or his harness giving out. He has heard stories of the worst, including a window washer who fell six stories to his death at UPMC McKeesport. Whether it’s six floors or 20 floors, “at that point it doesn’t really make a difference,” he said.

When there’s a messy death — accidental or intentional — someone has to clean up afterward. That’s when Servpro in Monroeville gets a call, and estimators such as Tom Apel, 50, zip up their biohazard suits and masks. “They’re all pretty gruesome, “Apel said of the places he is called to clean. “I really can’t say it excites anybody. That wasn’t why they started working here; (it) just goes along with what we do.” Suicides are the most graphic, but the worst are death scenes that go unnoticed for weeks, he said.

Usually it’s a downstairs neighbor who first notifies the authorities when blood begins to seep through the ceiling. “I don’t want to say they don’t bother me too much,” he said. “Until you actually get there and do it, you don’t know really how you’re going to act,” he said. He remembers the smell of his first job. His supervisor kept a close eye on him that day as he learned on the job. “Every step of the way, it was,‘Are you OK?’” Apel recalls. Friends and family often ask Apel for the gory details but then stop him mid-sentence, he said.
 

For those people, facing their fear might be a source of entertainment, but for many it can be a by-product of deep-rooted emotional stress, Fischer said.  “Sometimes, when people go through trauma, they’re compelled to repeat it to gain mastery over it,” she said. A single event during childhood can shape what a person fears or what drives them as an adult, she said. For example, a child who sees someone bleeding, surrounded by distressed onlookers, might develop a fear of blood, but a child who sees his father rescue someone who is bleeding might be motivated to become a paramedic, she said.

For Atticks, it was the first dead body he saw as a teenager that eventually led him to become funeral director at Gene H. Corl Funeral Chapel in Monroeville. He was 14 when he helped his father transport a body from a hospital to a funeral home in Harrisburg. “I can still picture the first man I picked up with him,” Atticks said. “It was a shock to me … it makes an impression on you. But it did not bother me.” The science and artistry of cosmetically restoring the body is what first attracted him to the profession as a teen, and throughout his career, he has prepared the bodies of family and friends for viewing. “I feel that’s the last thing I can do for them,” he said. “Why have a stranger doing that when their grandson or son is a part of it? Not everybody can.”

He said preparing the body is easy, but the tough part is consulting with grieving families. Some use humor as a way to deal; others treat the funeral as a celebration. Some, he said, plan the funeral in preparation of an imminent death, to save themselves from the additional stress when it happens. “I’ve had rough ones, and I’ve had some that felt like a party,” Atticks said. Of the last 100 funerals he has directed, he said each one was a little different.

Some fears are less rational, such as the fear of a doctor’s needle — which might explain why, according to the Central Blood Bank, only 5 percent of Americans donate blood each year. “It is a fairly common fear to be afraid of needles and things,” said Megan Schlegel, a conversational marketing expert with the Central Blood Bank. “Needles aren’t my favorite thing in the world, I just have to not look at it when they’re doing it.” Schlegel has learned to work with her dislike of needles.

Liberatore focuses on the thrill of being so high above ground instead of the fear of falling.

And Apel has become accustomed to dealing with gory locations. But his fear of spiders? Well, that’s another situation entirely.

Window Cleaning Super Heroes

Dressed as Spider-Man, Danny Oszaniec, a window washer with American National Skyline, prepares to repel down the outside of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, surprising patients and their families through the windows as he works his way down. Click to super-size.

Comic book heroes lift spirits, fight grime at Children’s Hospital: The patients at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh were barely awake Monday morning when the first ropes unfurled from the roof 12 floors up. But when window washers clad as superheroes rappelled down the brick facades along Penn Avenue and 45th Street in Lawrenceville, little eyes were wide open.

Caleb Whitaker, 6, of Windber waves to window-washer Rick Boloinger dressed as Spider-Man on Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2012, as Boloinger and a crew of costumed washers from Allegheny Window Cleaning Inc. descended upon Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville. Click to enlarge.

Caleb Whitaker, 6, of Windber raced through a third-floor clinic — and catapulted himself over pint-sized furniture — to ogle Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman as they sprayed and wiped clean the glass panes. Captain America rounded out the comic-book foursome, assembled at no charge, thanks to Allegheny Window Cleaning Inc. of Springdale. “We heard people yelling: ‘It’s Spider-Man!’ When the other ones appeared, it was just kind of amazing,” said Joe Hartnett, 42, of Castle Shannon. His rapt daughter Leah, 6, who accompanied her younger brother, “didn’t quite believe it” at first.

Caleb Whitaker, 6, of Windber gives a high-five to window-washer Ed Hetrick dressed as Superman on Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2012, as Hetrick and a crew of costumed washers from Allegheny Window Cleaning Inc. descended upon Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville. Click to enlarge.

 “It’s a wonderful surprise,” said Hartnett, who joined dozens of gawkers inside and outside the hospital. Many posed for photos with the costumed heroes at ground level. Allegheny Window President Edward Matuizek said the company wanted only to brighten the day for children battling illnesses. Matuizek said the washers improvised to position their safety harnesses around the costumes. “This isn’t about us. This is about them,” said Matuizek, a father of two teenage daughters. “It’s a nice place to work, but emotionally it’s a real tough place to work. You go home and pick your own kids up, and there’s a lot of gratitude there.”

Kids in the ninth-floor waiting area including Caleb Whitaker, 6 of Windber (center) watch window-washer Jim Zaremba dressed as Batman on Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2012, as Zaremba and a crew of super-clad washers from Allegheny Window Cleaning Inc. descended upon Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville. Click to enlarge.

A similar superhero appearance at a British hospital inspired Matuizek’s plan. Allegheny Window Cleaning has washed the windows at the 296-bed UPMC facility since the hospital opened about three years ago, Matuizek said. The firm’s office manager Michelle Matuizek — Edward’s wife — first suggested the costume idea. His initial reaction: “You’re crazy. I’m not doing this.” But Children’s Hospital facilities director Elizabeth Munsch helped nudge the plan along, officials said. Allegheny lined up $800 worth of Broadway-quality costume rentals and four experienced window-washers to wear them for about two hours.

Window-washers from left, Jim Zaremba (Batman), John Morton (Captain America), Rick Boloinger (Spider-Man) and Ed Hetrick (Superman) stand on the helipad atop Children's Hospital on Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2012, before the crew of super-clad washers from Allegheny Window Cleaning Inc. rid the windows of the Lawrenceville hospital of grime. Click to enlarge.

The washers are Rick Bollinger, 46, and Mark Errico, 26, both of Harrison; Ed Hetrick, 36, of Springdale; and Jim Zaremba, 43, of Lower Burrell. “The kids were loving it,” said Errico, suited up as Captain America. “Everywhere we went, they were coming in from different rooms.” He would do it again in a heartbeat, he said. And he might get the chance: Edward Matuizek said the company is looking to make the appearance an annual gig. “On a nice day like this, those kids are locked up in there for — who knows? — months,” Errico said.

Window-washers from top, Rick Boloinger (Spider-Man), Mark Errico (Captain America), Jim Zaremba (Batman) and Ed Hetrick (Superman) rappel down the side of Children's Hospital on Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2012, as the crew of washers from Allegheny Window Cleaning Inc. rid the windows of the Lawrenceville hospital of grime. Click to enlarge.

Quinlan Carney, 4, could get on board with a return engagement. He isn’t a patient, but he locked his eyes on Spider-Man as he gripped his mother’s hand along 45th Street. “He’s going to talk about this forever,” said his mother, Julia Carney, 37, of Harmony.

Spider-Man, suited up and headed down the side of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis. Click to enlarge.

Spider-Man window washers cheer hospitalized kids: Kids at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis got a Spidey-size surprise last week when they spotted none other than Spider-Man rappelling down the side of the building, with Captain America in hot pursuit. The superhero sighting came courtesy of a few real-life superheroes -- employees of the commercial window cleaning company American National Skyline who wanted to do something nice for the young patients. Rosetta Ford, an administrative assistant in the hospital's environmental-services department, suggested costumes, so Steve Oszaniec, his son Danny Oszaniec, and Jordan Emerson suited up superhero-style, secured themselves in their window-washing safety harnesses, and started their slide down the 12-story building.

 "A great day for window cleaning"

The building's large windows overlook the downtown Memphis skyline and Mississippi River, giving the superheroes a scenic backdrop. As word got around the hospital of an out-of-the-ordinary happening, the kids flocked to windows in their rooms and the family rooms on each floor. As you can see from this vid provided by the hospital, many patients captured the moment with smartphones (a good idea, since last time I told people I saw Spider-Man scaling a building on a Wednesday afternoon, they didn't believe me). And for a real awww, have a look at this closeup NBC News photo of a Le Bonheur patient-Spidey moment. It really says it all.

Some Memphis residents probably looked up and wondered why own their window washers suddenly seemed so ordinary. Click to enlarge.

Window-washers from left, Mark Errico (Captain America), Jim Zaremba (Batman), Ed Hetrick (Superman) and Rick Boloinger (Spider-Man) rappel down Children's Hospital on Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2012, as the crew of super-clad washers from Allegheny Window Cleaning Inc. rid the windows of the Lawrenceville hospital of grime. Click to enlarge.

R.I.P Stephen Willoughby - No Safety Harness

Window washer plunges to his death in Franklin Park: A Butler County man fell to his death on Wednesday afternoon while washing windows on a third-floor roof at the Blaymore II building in Franklin Park. The 48-year-old Zelienople resident, whose name was being withheld pending notification of relatives, was pronounced dead at the scene despite resuscitation efforts by medical personnel from The Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Health Center and paramedics, witnesses said. The man, an employee of Roach Brothers Inc. of Upper St. Clair, fell shortly before 4 p.m. A co-worker was still on the lift.

"The gentleman was on a mini-roof above my office, and another gentleman was in the bucket. He fell right by my window. I called for my staff to call 911 and ran down to him. When I got there, he had no pulse," said Patrick Stewart, chief executive officer for Pepperweed Consulting. "There's a surgical unit on the first floor. I yelled for them, and they came running out and tried to resuscitate him. Paramedics arrived quickly and tried to help him," said Stewart. Investigators said preliminary indications are that the worker was not wearing a safety harness when he fell. Stewart said he did not see a harness on the man, who landed in gravel and shrubbery at the foot of the building.

Most of the Blaymore building on Carmody Court is four stories, but the corner where the man was working is three stories tall. He was working on a flat roof with steep sides. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified, Franklin Park police said. "I can only pray to God that he's in heaven," Stewart said. "I think you have to thank God every day for the gifts you are given because life is very fragile. It makes you realize how important your faith is, your family is. I'm going to go home and kiss my wife and kiss my children."

Window washer falls to his death: A western Pennsylvania man is dead after police say he fell several stories while washing windows at a Pittsburgh-office building. The Allegheny County medical examiner's office says 48-year-old Stephen Willoughby, of Zelienople, died from injuries sustained in the fall Wednesday afternoon in Franklin Park. Workers at a surgical center in the building attempted CPR before medical personnel arrived, but Willoughby was pronounced dead at the scene. He fell at least three stories while working with a lift at the building just north of Pittsburgh. The medical examiner's office said Willoughby was not wearing a safety harness. Police say they have contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Worker washing windows falls to his death in Pa. A western Pennsylvania man is dead after police say he fell several stories while washing windows at a Pittsburgh-office building. The Allegheny County medical examiner's office says 48-year-old Stephen Willoughby, of Zelienople, died from injuries sustained in the fall Wednesday afternoon in Franklin Park. Workers at a surgical center in the building attempted CPR before medical personnel arrived, but Willoughby was pronounced dead at the scene. He fell at least three stories while working with a lift at the building just north of Pittsburgh. The medical examiner's office said Willoughby was not wearing a safety harness. Police say they have contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Window Washer Falls From Lift, Dies In Franklin Park, PITTSBURGH - A Zelienople man died after police said he fell several stories while washing windows at an office building in Franklin Park. The Allegheny County medical examiner's office said Stephen Willoughby, 48, died from injuries sustained in the fall Wednesday afternoon. Willoughby fell at least three stories, police said. Workers at a surgical center in the building attempted CPR before medical personnel arrived, but Willoughby was pronounced dead at the scene. "There's a surgical team here. We ran back inside and grabbed them. Thankfully they were still here. They ran outside and tried everything they could to save him," said witness Pat Stewart. The medical examiner's office said Willoughby was not wearing a safety harness. Police said they have contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Channel 11 News learned Willoughby worked for a painting company called Roach Rothers in Upper St. Clair.

Window Cleaner Busted For Leaving Tap On

On the sidewalk Monday by the post office on Federal Street on the North Side, water gushes from a window washer's unattended hose.

Think about waste involved in runoff of valuable water (Diana Nelson Jones): This is just plain wrong. Look at this hose. I passed it in front of the post office on Federal Street and South Commons on the North Side/North Shore Monday morning. A man was washing the post office windows with a squeegee, and water from this hose was flowing down the sidewalk and into the street. This is water that Alcosan treated that's right back into its system for treatment. This water was completely wasted. The cost of treating it was wasted. We keep paying that cost and we keep wasting. People complain about being nickel-and-dimed but blithely go about wasting and witnessing waste without even thinking, much less thinking about the incredible amounts of money this heedlessness costs us. The costs become exponential over time.

I was going to ask the window washer why the hose didn't have a shut-off valve, but at that moment, a man greeted him and they started talking. I didn't want to embarrass him in front of someone. Over the years, as I have passed that post office and its huge sweeping curve of sloping sidewalk, I have thought: This would be a great place for a rain garden. Storm water washes around that curve right into the street. A rain garden on a patch of that sidewalk could intercept a lot of it.

Later that morning, I received an email announcement from the county about the Allegheny Green initiative that county Executive Dan Onorato started in 2009, when the four planters in the courthouse courtyard were turned into rain gardens. The downspouts that had drained into the city's sewer system now divert rain water into the planting beds, and the planters are filled with drainage material and drought-tolerant native plants.

The county has placed signs that identify and tell you something about the 30 native plants. The signs have QR barcodes that, if you have a smart phone, you can scan for more information. The news release tells that a rain garden should be composed of native plants that tolerate the pooling of water as well as periods of drought, and goes on: "The cost to develop a rain garden is normally $6-$8 per square foot and provides increased value to homes and businesses." Two inches of rain on a roof can result in more than 600 gallons of water rushing through downspouts and into sewer systems. As little as a tenth of an inch of rain can cause combined sewers to overflow.

Then there's pavement. There is permeable surface material out there, but we continue to pave things with the old asphalt, so the oil under your car and the soap that cleaned it and everything else that is lying on the streets contaminates storm water that flows into storm and sanitary sewers and local streams. The county executive affirmed that "green infrastructure is a key component of storm water management" and that "we must come together as a community to address the issue."

Yes, DanO, we must. So I address this directly to you: Would you call the post office and ask them to get a hose valve for their window washer? As the guy who committed the Allegheny County Office Building to being the county's first green-roofed public building, you have more clout than I.

As for the rest of us: If you are one of those people who let the water run when you aren't using it -- washing the car, brushing your teeth or squeegeeing a window -- think of how you would feel if, say, a $10 bill blew from your hand off the bridge and into the river. If I am not speaking to the choir as you read this, just think about it. Just give it a little thought. In the end, no matter who is paying the bill -- the post office this time, your employer next time, or you -- it's all the same. We all lose when we waste.

The last flood on Federal Street, March 1904

Window Cleaning Vice President Gets 10 Years

PITTSBURGH — A former executive of a western Pennsylvania window company has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for unemployment compensation fraud, and other rip-offs. Forty-six-year-old Lacy Tilley, of Richland Township, was sentenced Friday after telling a federal judge in Pittsburgh his life story, including a past cocaine conviction and an 87-month prison sentence he's currently serving for gun possession as a felon. Friday's sentence will run concurrent to the gun term, meaning he'll be in prison until 2020, minus good time. Tilley ripped off the state unemployment system by having his girlfriend and several other associates illegally collect $39,000 in benefits while they still had jobs. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says Tilley also stole $305,000 from Penn Window Co. while its vice president, and cheated a business landlord out of $123,000 in a bid-rigging scheme.

Richland man given 9-year sentence for unemployment fraud: Typically, when defendants are asked to speak at their sentencing hearings, they apologize quickly and then stop talking. Lacy Tilley, 46, of Richland, decided instead today to tell his life story before U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti sentenced him to nine years and two months in prison for ripping off his employer, clients, employees and the state unemployment compensation system.

Mr. Tilley, formerly vice president of Penn Window Co., is "a person who has been blessed with many attributes that would've made you quite successful if you'd focused on doing things in a proper manner," said Judge Conti. "You have a drive within you to succeed, but you've trampled over a lot of people whose lives are devastated."

Those people include his girlfriend and several ex-associates, who were convinced by him to collect unemployment while working, defrauding the state of $39,387 and as a result being indicted individually; Coraopolis-based Penn Window, from which he took $305,517; and the owners of a Cleveland office building who incurred losses of $123,000 when he arranged to have a bid rigged in favor of one of his companies.

Mr. Tilley told the judge that as a young man he was a Marine, who took a bad conduct discharge and got off to a rough start on civilian life with a job as a bouncer at a bar. "I was a drunken ex-Marine, and I sold coke," he said. He did time for cocaine, got out, and spent 15 years working hard, primarily for Penn Window. He worked so hard, he lost two wives, and drifted into and out of drug abuse. "Cocaine kept me awake, and I could work late hours," he said. "I [had] 80 employees, I've got four offices, 14 trucks," and logistical headaches, he said.

Then he met the love of his life, Claudelle McMahill. He was good to her, but roped her into his schemes, too, convincing her, and others, to cheat the unemployment system. Concocting that scheme, he said, "had to be the dumbest moment of my life." Ms. McMahill was sentenced to 20 months in prison for her role in his crimes. "I took advantage of people in business," he continued, admitting to ripping off One Cleveland Center through bid-rigging. "What did I gain? ... I lived high on the hog for several years."

He said he has suffered enough, even missing his mother's death and losing Ms. McMahill, and should be allowed to "get out there and pay these [victims of his crimes] back" by working for a living. "I haven't seen an iota of remorse from Mr. Tilley, and I've been dealing with him for five years now," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway. Mr. Tilley was first indicted in 2006, and has spent much of the time since pointing fingers at others. He also was caught with guns, which is illegal for a felon, and in 2008 was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for that.

His nine-year sentence today, for 34 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, mail fraud and conspiracy, will run concurrently with the remainder of the gun sentence, meaning he can expect to get out by 2020. He must also join some of his co-conspirators in paying restitution, which totals around $507,000.

 Richland man sentenced to 9 years, 2 months in prison for fraud: A Richland man’s marathon attempt to prove he shouldn’t spend additional time in prison ended today when a federal judge sentenced him to nine years and two months in prison on three fraud cases. Lacey Tilley, 46, had argued in court documents that his sentence should run concurrent with — and end at the same time as — the sentence he’s already serving on a firearm charge. Tilley has been in Allegheny County since July 2007 after he was arrested in Florida for skipping bail on the fraud and firearm charges.

U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti agreed to make the fraud sentence run concurrent with the firearms sentence but the nine years and two months is more time then he has left to serve for his December 2007 jury conviction of being a felon in possession of firearm. In the first fraud case, a federal jury in November 2008 convicted Tilley of buying a company that provides janitorial services and telling his employees to file fraudulent unemployment claims. He then included those unemployment benefits as part of their salaries. The jury convicted him on one count of conspiracy and 31 counts of mail fraud.

In the other two fraud cases, Tilley pleaded guilty in 2009 to one count of mail fraud for embezzling more than $300,000 from his former employer, Penn Window Cleaning Company, and one count of wire fraud connected to submitting false loan documents to obtain a mortgage. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Conway said the year and nine months spent on hearings and motions between Tilley’s guilty plea and sentencing may be a record for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Conway confirmed the judge’s order means that the time Tilley already has served won’t be credited to his fraud sentence. Conti also sentenced Tilley to three years of probation.

Exclusive Video with Jaret + Kevin the "Window Cleaning Business Coach"

The New Star of WCR - hot off the press: Jaret of "Jarets Window Cleaning" from Akron, Ohio maybe the youngest window cleaner going! At 11 years old, this star to be, looks like he could pave the way for other up & coming window cleaners with his great style. So good in fact that the kind guys at Window Cleaning Resource, Chris & Alex have decided to set him up with a camera & a host of tools with his own new show, just to show what an 11 year old can do. With his captivating style, energy & a little quirky humour thrown in, Jaret is a delight to watch. This Video can be watched in high resolution from tomorrow at the Window Cleaning Resources website. Last weeks edition can be seen here. And the first edition here.

Kevin the "Window Cleaning Business Coach" gave a talk earlier last month in Pittsburgh, PA on his specialist subject. Seth Fenderstock was on hand to record everything just for you. If this video doesn't show go directly here to watch.

Protect Your Brain - More Ladder Falls

Window washer working in Oakland falls 25 feet: A window washer working in Oakland this morning was taken to a hospital after falling 25 feet, authorities said. Paramedics took the unidentified man, 25, to UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland, a Pittsburgh police dispatcher said. The man was washing windows at building on Melwood Street about 9:30 a.m. when he fell, the dispatcher said. The man was conscious and alert when medics arrived, but his condition was not immediately available, the dispatcher said.



Ladders Among Top Causes of Brain Injury, Minneapolis: Chances of a brain injury increase with every rung. This simple message recently traveled through downtown Minneapolis, affixed to 10-foot industrial ladders and pushed by teams of DIY painters. This is the way Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) was continuing its public awareness efforts to highlight the need for prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Ladders were used to call attention to the leading cause of TBI – falls, and to remind the public that summertime projects like painting, window-washing, cleaning or remodeling become dangerous activities if not done safely. This was the case in the recent death of Paul Schmeling, a River Falls, Wis., pastor who never regained consciousness after falling from a ladder while doing yard work over the Memorial Day weekend. According to HCMC, the busiest Level 1 Trauma Center in the state, falls from ladders account for more than 17,000 brain injuries a year nationwide. Three teams of “average Joe and Jane” painters – with paint buckets and smocks – were spotted pushing ladders throughout downtown, and several more ladders were set up in front of the IDS Center on Nicollet Mall along with a “Brain Bar” – an educational kiosk staffed by HCMC’s brain injury specialists. Visitors to the Brain Bar had the opportunity to learn more about their brain and the impact that TBI can have on it, as well as get answers to their questions from HCMC’s brain injury experts present at the event.
One of the campaign’s main elements is its website – savethisbrain– which allows people to take a closer look at how their brain works and makes them who they are. Visitors can “build their own brain,” save it to an online gallery and share their brain with friends. The website also provides information about the signs, symptoms and treatment of TBI, as well as tips for keeping your brain safe. Created with Minneapolis agency Russell Herder, the “Save This Brain” campaign launched last fall and continues this summer with event appearances at the Great River Energy Bike Festival Expo on June 12; the Minnesota State Fair’s Kid’s Day on August 31; the Minneapolis Bike Tour on September 20; and the Walk for Thought in Como Park on September 26. About Traumatic Brain Injuries
Each year, more than 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). That’s one every 23 seconds! Among children and young adults, TBI is the leading cause of death and disability. In Minnesota, over 15,000 new traumatic brain injuries occur annually and 100,000 Minnesotans live with a disability caused by a brain injury. A large percentage of new injuries are mild to moderate cases and many go untreated. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Hennepin County Medical Center admits more than 700 patients with traumatic brain injuries each year and has inpatient and outpatient programs for both adult and pediatric TBI patients. For more information about the Traumatic Brain Injury Center and for fall prevention and ladder safety tips, visit hcmc.org.
About Hennepin County Medical Center Hennepin County Medical Center is a nationally recognized Level 1 Trauma Center with the largest emergency department in Minnesota. The comprehensive academic medical center and public teaching hospital includes a 446-bed acute care hospital and primary care and specialty clinics located in downtown Minneapolis, and four primary care clinics in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. For the twelfth year in a row, Hennepin County Medical Center is listed in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of the top U.S. Hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” report.

Man dies after 20ft flats plunge: A man has died in hospital after plunging 20ft from a first-floor window. The 49-year-old was discovered outside a block of flats in Steward Crescent, Marsden, South Shields, at 8.45am, yesterday. A window cleaner spotted him lying in the communal garden area and asked neighbours Kenneth and Moira Foster, who live opposite the flats, to call for help.