25.11.2020

Window cleaning fatality

A man cleaning windows from a self-propelled boom lift that overturned last week in Groningen, the Netherlands, has died from his injuries.

The man, Johan Aslander, 53, was working for specialist cleaning company Gom Specialistische Reiniging outside of the Willem-Alexander Sports Centre on the Hanze University campus where he was cleaning windows last Wednesday, November 18th.
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The boom lift, a Manitou 160 ATJ+ rented from the Gjaltema Groep, was moving between a grass verge and the pavement/sidewalk when one of the wheels sank into the tarmac/soft ground causing the machine to overturn. Aslander was rushed to hospital but sadly died from his injuries earlier this week. The Labour Inspectorate is investigating the incident,
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The wheel sunk through the tarmac into the soft ground below

A statement from the company posted on its social medial pages said:

“Hit deep and in disbelief.

It hurts us to inform you that our highly valued colleague Johan Aslander died on Monday evening November 23 due to the consequences of an accident with an aerial platform. The one sided accident took place at Hanze University in Groningen on Wednesday November 18.

The message of his death leaves us defeated. Johan was only 53 years old and has been employed by our organization since 2007, from 2016 specifically for Gom Specialist Cleaning as a cooperating foreman at the location of Hanze University. In Johan we not only lose a nice, loyal colleague but certainly also a craftsman. A craftsman, who, with his perfectionist look and passion - together with his direct colleagues - has ensured a great quality improvement in our services at Hanze University.

Our thoughts go out to Johan's relatives and directly involved colleagues.”

The video below shows more from the scene: