Window washer dies after 18-story fall

MONTREAL, QC, Canada — A window washer died after falling from the Blue Cross building and landing on the roof of the Maison du Jazz restaurant 18 stories below, according to the Montreal Gazette.
The man, who worked for Mon laveur de vitre Inc. was connected to a 20-foot platform when it broke loose around 1:15 p.m. and plummeted to the rooftop of the restaurant below, the story stated.
Two other men were working with the victim and were taken to the hospital and treated for nervous shock, the story noted.
Mark Crispino, a witness who spoke to the window washers the day before the accident, said: "Just yesterday I asked them for a business card because I need window washing at home. I asked if accidents ever happened. He said nothing serious ever happens, because we have belts. So we always wear our safety belts, because otherwise we’re not insured."
It remains unclear what caused the malfunction, but when an Occupational Health and Safety Commission (CSST) investigation is complete the information will be released, the story added.
According to the story, four Montreal window washers have died on the job since 2000.
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