State Capitol cleaner left dangling after platform fails

The state Capitol cleaning project is on hold after a platform failed, leaving one worker dangling from the side of the building.

Officials said the platform used to hold workers on the building gave way Thursday morning. One worker was left suspended about 40 feet up, held up by his fall-protection equipment. A second worker was able to pull his colleague to safety on the fourth-floor roof of the building.

The contractor hired for the cleaning project has halted work for training and equipment checks.

The $1.1 million Capitol project is supposed to clean and make critical exterior repairs to the outside of the building. It began a couple weeks ago and is expected to conclude by November.

The Associated Press