Aug. 9, 2012

OLYMPIA – Cleaning of the Legislative Building is on hold until scaffolding and other equipment involved with the work is checked following an incident involving two contracted workers this morning.

No injuries were reported after a platform, similar to that used by window washers, holding two workers gave way shortly after 7 a.m. about 40 feet up on the east side of the building. Fall-protection equipment successfully prevented the workers from being injured.

One worker was suspended above ground for about two minutes as his co-worker pulled him back to the fourth-floor roof of the building. The workers were preparing to perform pressure washing of a portion of the Legislative Building.

Western Waterproofing of Seattle, the contractor that Enterprise Services hired for the project, has halted work indefinitely until its safety managers check all equipment and provide additional training to all workers.

A $1.148 million project to make critical exterior repairs and clean the upper two-thirds of the building began in late July and is scheduled to be completed by early November.

Enterprise Services maintains the capitol grounds and buildings.

More information
Steve Valandra, Communications
360 407-9211

Jim Erskine, Communications
360 407-9212

Jennifer Reynolds, Communications
360 407-8436