THIS is the astonishing moment a woman precariously balanced high above the ground, cleaning her windows as astonished onlookers watched in disbelief.
Shocking footage reveals the woman flirting with danger as she stands on a narrow ledge on the 16th floor of a Gold Coast apartment building.
The woman is blissfully unaware of the peril below herCredit: Reddit
She quickly gets to work, seemingly unconcerned by the deadly dropCredit: Reddit
Onlookers pause to capture footage of the sceneCredit: Reddit
The resident of Peninsula Apartments on Clifford Street appeared resolute in her task of cleaning the windows despite the apparent and immediate risk.
The woman was seen climbing out of the window, placing a chair on the ledge, and casually stepping onto it.
Seemingly unfazed, she then proceeded to meticulously wipe down the glass.
The individual filming expressed disbelief at what they were witnessing and promptly called the police to report the situation.
However, no authorities arrived.
The video has since gone viral on social media, with many users expressing shock at how close the woman came to serious injury.
“A bit of wind and the only thing that’s getting cleaned is the footpath,” one user commented.
Another remarked: “I wouldn’t trust those chairs.”
The incident has reignited discussions about building safety.
Ann Wason Moore addressed the concern in an op-ed for The Gold Coast Bulletin, advocating for increased common sense regarding personal safety.
Others shared their own experiences.
One individual recalled staying at a nearby Hilton hotel several years ago when someone tragically died after standing on a chair on the 40th floor while attempting to clean the roof.
This account raised questions about how such dangerous architectural designs could be permissible.
According to Moore, they are not—at least not in newer constructions.
“Since May 2013, the Australian Building Code has mandated protection on any openable window with a fall of two meters or more to prevent individuals, particularly children, from falling through,” she stated.
“However, this rule is not retroactive, meaning older buildings only need to comply if significant modifications are made, not for routine maintenance.”
The risks associated with falls in the home are well documented.
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicates that preventable household injuries are a leading cause of hospital visits and, in some cases, fatalities.
In 2022–23, falls were the primary cause of injury-related deaths for both men and women.
In 2023–24 alone, falls resulted in approximately 248,000 hospitalizations—accounting for around 40 percent of all injury-related admissions.
Sadly, this issue is not confined to Australia.
In November, a report emerged of an incident involving an injured toddler around 7 a.m. on Saturday, leading to a swift response from emergency services. Tragically, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Falls from height are one of the leading causes of death in AustraliaCredit: Refer to source
Nearly a quarter of a million were hospitalized due to such injuries last yearCredit: Refer to source
Frequently Asked Questions
What safety measures should be in place for window cleaning at heights?
Safety measures such as guardrails, harnesses, and proper scaffolding should be utilized when cleaning windows at heights to prevent falls.
Are there regulations for window safety in buildings?
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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