Union Opposes Proposed Window Cleaning Safety Standards

Testifying at an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hearing on window cleaners' safety, union 32BJ SEIU objected to the potential easing of window cleaning safety standards.

The controversial measure would allow unrestricted use of the Rope Descent Systems (RDS) — a window cleaning method banned in New York and California. Because workers are hanging by a rope hundreds of feet above the ground with RDS, safety experts consider this method to be significantly more dangerous than scaffolding.