Window cleaner cited after worker’s 29-story fatal fall
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The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday it cited a Boston-based window cleaning company over the death of an employee who fell 29 stories.
OSHA cited Sky Safety Inc. for two “willful,” four “serious” and two “repeat” violations, and assessed $447,087 in proposed penalties following the October 2023 incident in Boston’s financial district.
Sky Safety failed to ensure personal fall protections and a rope descent system were in proper working order, it had not inspected safety equipment for damage and other deterioration, and it failed to remove defective items from service before each work shift, OSHA said.
OSHA said it had cited Sky Safety’s predecessor company, Hi-Rise Inc., for exposing workers to similar fall-related and equipment hazards in December 2013 and May 2019.
The company has 15 business days to contest the latest citation and proposed penalties.
