Source: AD
The fact that working at height can be life-threatening was demonstrated once again this week. On a building site in Rotterdam, a glass-washing installation was blown against the facade by strong winds, shattering several windows on the sixteenth floor. Fortunately, no one was injured. The AD reported.
Window cleaner Leonard Diks (54) was working on another tower across the street when he noticed the unmanned facade maintenance installation swinging along the 16th floor of the apartment complex. A few times, the installation banged against the facade, resulting in a few broken windows. People often compete on price rather than safety.
“I could see that this was going to go wrong, so I grabbed my phone to make it filming, the window cleaner tells the AD.
When in doubt, do not do it
According to a spokesperson for Stebru, the company responsible for the construction of the apartment complex in question on Wijnhaven, the installation became unbalanced due to a malfunction. Then the wind got hold of it.
Competing on price
According to Meijboom, many accidents happened at façade installations in the last year. “At least one incident a week, which is too many. This mainly involves breakdowns and freeing personnel.” This is because there is often competition on price rather than safety when it comes to building maintenance. “That really needs to change.”
English (UK)