[L] So, as you recall, a few days ago, our neighbors from downstairs paid a visit to us because there was something that was leaking from the balcony... The story continues.
So, today, our landlord came to attempt to fix this mysterious leak. This time, he brought with him a repairman, who seemed equipped with a caulk-seal gun and some plastic tubing. After 30 to 40 minutes of them talking, working, banging, crawling around the balcony... The repairman begins to take action.
He climbs completely over the railing of the 4th floor balcony.
He steadied himself by putting one arm around the railing, while the other arm is used to insert the plastic tubing in a pipe. Meanwhile, his sock-covered-feet was on the ledge of the balcony. He was completely OUTSIDE, almost dangling off our balcony, nothing to keep from falling except his feet to steady himself on the ledge while one arm holding onto the railing.
Oh yes, did I mention that he did take some safety precautions. He had our landlord hold onto his arm (the one arm that is gripping the balcony). In the case of a fall, will our little landlord be still holding on to this man's forearm and heroically rescue him from falling 4 stories?! We don't even want to think about it.
Is this legal?!! Back home, there is such a thing as workers comp. Work-related injuries lawsuit. Protection of the worker. Safety-code. Policy and procedures manual. But here, apparently, things just work a lot differently. Apparently, risking your life to dangle on a 4th floor balcony to fix a leaky pipe is okay. It might even be normal. (Just be sure not to fall, that's all.)
We just feel for them. Life and work is hard here. And no one is there to vouch for you if you get hurt.
