Building's anchors not tested before cleaner fell

An abseiling window cleaner survived a fall of five stories from a building near The Terrace in Wellington. Photo / 3 News

The high-rise building from which a window cleaner fell five storeys yesterday was not part of a Department of Labour review of the safety of roof anchors, the department said today.

The anchors are used for wires holding the platforms of window cleaners and other workers.

In February last year the department announced an independent engineer would oversee testing of the abseil anchors on some Wellington buildings

The investigation was started after claims that anchors on a 12-storey apartment block were unsafe and that one had pulled out.

In yesterday's incident a Window Cleaning and Contractors worker fell from the annex of Mayfair House on The Terrace, about midday.

He escaped with just a dislocated toe when a parked car partially broke his fall.

Investigations by the Department of Labour as well as the cleaning company into the incident have begun.

A department spokeswoman told NZPA the Mayfair Building's roof anchors had been tested, but the annex where the cleaner was working was not part of last year's review.

The incident is still under investigation and it cannot be determined that anchor bolt issues are involved, the spokeswoman said.

- NZPA