Types of Falls

The most general type of falls involving buildings are "falls from roof". Another category, usually for new construction sites, is "falls from roof structural member".

Falls from roof can be from "unprotected" walking surface, that is, no guard rail or no parapet wall of proper height. This is quite common, and can be easily avoided.

There is another particular classification of falls, the "falls thru roof", as follows:

• roof opening
• sky lights
• non-supportive materials (old, weak, deteriorated)
• unspecified

Many falls are caused simply due to carelessness or lack of fall prevention equipment. Most fall injuries can be avoided or minimized via the use of fall protection equipment.

Window Washer Fatally Injured in Fort Meyers, FL

From: Wink News

Window washer falls 8 stories, By Althea Paul, WINK News
Story Created: Jun 15, 2007 at 1:20 PM EDT, Story Updated: Jun 16, 2007 at 6:56 PM EDT
South Fort Myers - Friday morning a window washer fell 8 stories and died. The accident happened around 8:30am in South Lee County.
According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the window washer was working

Window Washer Critically Injured in Orlando, FL

From the Orlando Sentinel

Orlando, Fl, May 13, 2008, page B.3, section Local & State
Worker injured in fall off roof
ORLANDO---A window washer was critically injured Monday when he fell from the rooftop of Florida Hospital Orlando, police said. Jose Montalbo, 31, of Kissimmee suffered numerous broken bones and bleeding from his head, according to a police report. He was in critical condition late Monday at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Why he fell is not yet known. Which window cleaning company Mr. Montalbo works for is not known. Why he was moved from Florida Hospital to the ORMC is not known.