It’s a wonder that window washers even exist due to the dangerous nature of their everyday job. But with the many buildings in New York and across the nation, there are many windows to be washed and many individuals that need to be employed.
When working on a hazardous New York job site, such as the side of a 40 story skyscraper, it is the law that employers must provide the proper safety gear which also must be in excellent working condition. Unfortunately, there are still employers who are looking to cut costs and many times will cut corners in the area of personal safety equipment. Due to the risk of working at great heights, it is mandatory that properly secured ladders and scaffolding be used but it doesn’t always happen that way. Unsuspecting workers have been seriously injured and even died after falling from unstable structures. In some of those cases, the employee was aware of the lacking security measures but felt stuck between a rock and a hard place since they had a job to do, a boss to answer to, and a paycheck to earn.
In the State of New York, there are specific laws for those working at elevated heights, including construction workers and window washers. Employees have the right to refuse to work unless all safety measures are tended to properly. By law, performing job tasks knowing the safety equipment is not adequate is actually illegal and you are obligated to refuse to work. Unfortunately, many workers will not stand up and refuse to go to work for fear of being terminated.
