Two Employers Cited for NYC Scaffold Collapse

June 10, 2008
OSHA cited two New York City employers for alleged workplace safety standard violations, including equipment failure, lack of fall protection and lack of employee training, in connection with a fatal Dec. 7, 2007, scaffold collapse.

Two window washers fell 47 stories when their scaffold platform detached from the permanent rig attached to the building’s roof at 265 E. 66th St. in Manhattan. Alcides Moreno, 37, miraculously survived the high-rise plunge, but his brother Edgar, 30, was killed.

OSHA cited Richmond Hill, N.Y.-based City Wide Window Cleaning LLC, the window cleaning service that employed the Moreno brothers and operated the scaffold, and Tractel Inc., the Long Island City, N.Y., company that serviced the scaffold prior to the accident.

OSHA's inspection found that the crimps used to secure the platform's hoist ropes were improperly installed by Tractel and, as a result, unable to support the scaffold's load. Neither Tractel nor City Wide had inspected the scaffold to determine if the crimps had been correctly installed and to see if the scaffold could support its load.

The two employees were not wearing safety harnesses and lifelines tied off to independent anchorage points and had not been trained in fall protection measures. They also had not been trained in the inspection and operation of the scaffold, emergency procedures and hazards associated with their work.

"These men lacked the knowledge and ability to protect themselves against falls and other hazards," said Richard Mendelson, OSHA's area director in Manhattan. "Proper inspection and maintenance of the scaffold and its components could have prevented this accident, while effective employee training and use of fall protection would have stopped any fall."

City Wide Window Cleaning was issued five serious citations for the lack of fall protection, training and inspections, and for the lack of a vertical lifeline. The company faces $24,000 in proposed penalties. Tractel received three serious citations, with $21,000 in proposed penalties, for improper installation of the crimps, the crimps’ failure to support the scaffold's load and not inspecting the crimps.

Each company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OccupationalHazards.com was unable to reach City Wide Window Cleaning or Tractel for comment.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 23, 2025
Learn about lone working laws in the US, key hazards and risks, and get actionable advice on how to keep your lone workers safe.
June 23, 2025
Chemical substitution can quickly get messy, with unclear steps and the risk of swapping one hazard for another. This checklist helps you avoid costly mistakes, prioritize which...
June 23, 2025
A mature approach to health and safety means making safety a core part of your culture, where everyone plays a role and performance is measured by more than just numbers. In this...
June 23, 2025
Behavior-based safety focuses on observing and encouraging safe behaviors to reduce workplace risks. Experts explain how strong safety culture, clear methods, and digital tools...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!