Change Your Ways
Darran Yates, Operations Director for the Windows and Industrial division of In Depth Managed Services, reviews best practice while working at height.
Cleaning and maintaining buildings often involves the need to work at height. The obvious requirement that springs to mind is window cleaning, but there is a much broader range of complex building support services which involve the need to work at high levels. These include gutter clearances, bird proofing, roof repairs, the cleaning of extractor vents and building inspections.
The working at height industry is changing, and it is becoming widely accepted that only the most up- to-date standards of best practice and safety should be used. Indeed, in January this year the HSE overhauled its guidance on working at height in a bid to set out, ‘in clear and simple terms what to do and what not to do’.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) set out the law as it applies in Great Britain. One of the key legal requirements of the regulations is for competent, well- trained people to plan, organise, supervise and carry out all work at height. The Regulations apply to all work where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.
The need to ensure that people understand what the law requires was identified in the independent review of health and safety regulation in the UK, undertaken by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt, and this proposal has been developed through the Red Tape Challenge.
Strive To Improve Regulations have drastically altered working at height practices; for example, water fed pole systems have replaced cleaning with ladders for work of up to 60ft. In Depth Managed Services uses the most up-to-date technology and techniques, including industrial rope access methods, which are frequently the only way
54 | WORKING AT HEIGHT
should the machinery malfunction. They also learn how to inspect equipment such as harnesses, as well as escaping from towers, masts and other structures.
Risks, Emergencies And
Techie Talks The Work at Height regulations include planning for emergencies and rescue situations, which has made operating at height safer and more professional. However, by its very nature, a rescue plan is only called upon in an emergency, so contractors must carry out regular practice sessions and refresher training to ensure that their operatives will react swiftly and appropriately should an emergency situation arise.
of gaining safe access to any high level building, particularly in awkward spaces, which are harder to reach. Our fleet of ‘reach and wash’ vehicles, operated by expert staff, provide a virtually ‘ladder-less’ safe and efficient service, upholding strict health, safety and environmental standards.
When it comes to window cleaning and facilities management, it’s in the interests not only of contractors but of clients too, that staff members are qualified to the highest standards. This not only protects them as individuals, it also prevents accidents that could be costly and mar the reputations of both contractor and client. It’s also important, that the training is not just a one-off, but continues over time.
Additionally, In Depth has started rolling out further training to window- cleaners, involving self-rescue courses, so they can always escape
Technology is not only used for the window cleaning processes, it is also utilised in the management of the contract. All vehicles used by In Depth staff members are tracked for remote worker safety, and these tools are utilised to ensure the efficient scheduling of our window cleaning teams and our local area management, which also brings fuel efficiency benefits.
In Depth Managed Services use the latest mobile android technology too, combined with web-based systems, to send, receive and capture information, including photographic evidence and client signatures, in real time. As this quality audit system has been developed in-house, audits can be tailored to the needs of the particular industry sector. The information is used to evaluate, review and, where possible, improve the business systems used.
www.indepth-cleaning.co.uk
www.tomorrowscleaning.com
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