Abstract: Employee #1, a maintenance department supervisor for the City of Santa Monica, was attempting to change a light bulb located at the top of a 40 ft (estimated) flag pole located on the roof of a newly-constructed building. Using his own boatswain's chair and line, he pulled the line, with chair, through a block installed at the top of the pole by means of a previously installed line (halyard). Employee #1 then climbed the rungs on the pole within about 10 ft of the light, where he got into the boatswain's chair and hoisted himself up. The 8 year old rope broke, causing Employee #1 to fall about 35 ft to the concrete floor. He sustained a 4 in. scalp laceration. Employee #1 was in the hospital about 12 hours for observation.