Two construction workers were rescued after becoming trapped outside the eighth floor of a building in Sacramento following a scaffolding malfunction that left them dangling mid-air.
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Sacramento Fire Department revealed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that crews responded to reports of two workers “hanging off the side of an eight- story building.”
The department said the workers were able to be “safely” lowered to the ground, confirming that no injuries were reported.
Video footage released by officials showed emergency responders carefully securing the workers before guiding them safely downward — a rescue that unfolded high above a busy downtown street and drew attention from bystanders below.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Sacramento Fire Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but didn't immediately receive responses.
The workers had been installing protective netting along the building’s exterior when the scaffolding system malfunctioned, the fire department told CBS News and Fox40.
“The scaffolding had a malfunction either in its motor or braking system,” Sacramento Fire Chief Chris Costamagna told Fox40.com. “So one side of the scaffolding got way out of balance.”
The imbalance left the platform tilted and unstable, forcing the workers to cling to the structure while awaiting rescue. Fire officials said traditional ladder trucks could not be positioned directly beneath the men due to placement and height constraints.
After determining that a ladder truck would not reach the stranded workers safely, rescuers shifted tactics and accessed the roof of the building instead.
“What we were able to do is get our rescue company above them, hooking into them with our equipment,” Chief Costamagna told Fox40.com.
Specialized rescue crews anchored themselves at the rooftop level and lowered equipment down to secure the workers. The operation required careful coordination to prevent further imbalance of the scaffold and ensure both men were stabilized before being lowered.
The rescue took approximately 30 minutes, according to Fox40.com.
Authorities later confirmed that 15th Street between Q and R streets, which had been temporarily closed during the emergency response, has since reopened.
An investigation into the malfunction has been carried out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to the outlet.
Worksite scaffolding incidents, while relatively rare when proper safety protocols are followed, can pose significant risks due to mechanical failures, improper installation or equipment wear. OSHA’s review will likely focus on whether safety standards were met and whether additional preventative measures are required.
While both workers escaped without physical injuries, the incident underscores the hazards faced daily by construction crews working at height — and the importance of rapid emergency response when mechanical systems fail.
Officials have not yet released additional details about the equipment involved or whether construction at the site has resumed.
Originally reported by Gabrielle Rockson in People.
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