Posted on August 1, 2016 in Cleaning
Working at height whilst window cleaning
The information on this web page is aimed at property managers who need to ensure cleaning contractors window cleaning safely. It will help you to plan and organise your window cleaning activities and manage the associated risks.
Are you aware that the current legal maximum working height for ladders is 29 feet? Any windows that you have over that height must be cleaned by using another method.
Any windows over 18 feet and under 29 feet cannot be cleaned using ladders without the use of ladders ties or another safety device such as a slip mat or someone footing the ladder, doing so is breaking Health & Safety regulations.
If a window cleaning contractor were to injure themselves whilst working on your premises, and you were not complying with Health & Safety regulations you could be held liable.
What the law says
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSW Act) requires employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees and to ensure that those affected by their activities are not exposed to risk. Health and safety law also applies to self-employed window cleaners if their work exposes others to risk.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers and those in control of any work at height activity to ensure that the work is properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people. This includes using the right type of equipment for working at height. When planning and organising window cleaning you must avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so, for example by using telescopic water fed poles to external or cleaning windows from the inside.
Where window cleaning at height cannot be avoided, you must first consider using an existing place of work that is already safe for example, cleaning from inside windows or from a balcony. If you cannot find an existing safe place, to work from, you must provide suitable access equipment. Where the risk of falling is not eliminated by either of these means, you must take additional measures to minimise the distance and consequences of any fall by using the right type of fall arrest equipment.
It is important to discuss all window cleaning activities with the window cleaning contractor as they will know their business well. Working together to develop an agreed co-ordinated approach is essential for reducing the risks e.g. you as property managers will be aware if window/building design allows for safe cleaning of windows from the inside effectively eliminating the risk of falling.
All those working at height must have the right skills, knowledge and experience. The requirements for specific competences will depend on the work being done, e.g. a window cleaner involved in abseiling will require different skills, knowledge and experience from someone only involved in cleaning ground floor windows.
Let us Help
Protech Property Solutions comply with all current Health & Safety regulations as the cleaning process takes place with the operative’s feet firmly on the ground, alleviating you from any Health & Safety concerns regarding the fitting of eyebolts, hiring of specialist access equipment and the criteria of using ladders over the legal height limit.
We can clean all of your windows up to a height of 65 feet with our water fed pole system from the ground safely.
The main feature of our window cleaning system is that eliminates the use of ladders and other access equipment on 95% of all buildings, a Health & Safety point which cannot and should not be ignored in today’s insurance and liability conscious workplace.
For further assistance please call one of our friendly team on 0845 604 1288 or visit Protech Clean Solutions for information on our window cleaning services.
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