Window Washer Critically Hurt In Fall At Northwestern Memorial Hospital
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A window washer was critically injured, after falling from a scaffold at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Wednesday.
Police said the window washer fell from scaffolding on the 6th floor at Northwestern's Feinberg Pavilion, along the 200 block of East Huron Street, around 8 a.m.
The man was in critical condition at Northwestern.
"Given the situation and location of the incident, several Northwestern Medicine medical professionals nearby responded to provide on-site emergency care," Northwestern spokesman Bret Coons said in an email.
The window washing company, Corporate Cleaning Services, said it was the first incident of its kind in the firm's 21-year history.
"This is one of our most experienced and dedicated employees and we are focused on providing assistance to him and his family as he undergoes various medical tests and procedures. We are also working closely with investigators so that we can better understand exactly how this happened and to ensure it doesn't happen again," the company said in an email.
Corporate Cleaning Services has been cited twice before by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for two violations in 2010, according to OSHA. The fines totaled about $4,000.
Although the company said its two previous violations were not "related to any incident with an employee," OSHA said the two previous violations were connected to violations of safety standards that could have resulted in worker injuries.
"The inspections were initiated as a result of local emphasis program for fall hazards," OSHA said.
