(
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/fatalinjuries.pdf) (
https://www.hse.gov.uk/cleaning/topics/window-cleaning.htm) Rising to the challenge
Russell Tennent, Managing Director at Leach’s, explains the important safety protocols window cleaners must implement to operate safely on high-rise buildings.
Picture this: it’s a beautifully sunny day with a blissfully blue sky. You’re suspended 300ft in the air with spectacular views across the city. It’s no wonder you chose to become an industrial window cleaner.
Yet window cleaning, especially on high-rise buildings, is not for the fainthearted. You need nerves of steel to benefit from the sensational scenery and fresh air.
Thankfully, high-rise window cleaning is generally considered a very safe profession. That can be put down to decades of improvements in safety equipment and standards. If complacency sets in, however, or the right precautions aren’t in place, it’s still high risk.
What are the health and safety risks?
While those unfamiliar with window cleaning may not view the profession as dangerous, there are plentiful hazards that must be overcome. The most obvious is of course working at height.
In 2020/21 there were 142 work-related deaths according to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Almost 25% of those were caused by falls from height. Despite the improved culture around height safety, it remains one the leading causes of fatal accidents at work. This has consistently been the case since 2017.
For the window cleaner, the means of accessing a window presents the greatest risk. To stay safe, having a thorough understanding of the task at hand, and therefore choosing the most appropriate access equipment for the job, is vital. The first step should always be undertaking a full and thorough risk assessment before every clean so you have a clear view on how to proceed.
What are the means of access?
There are various means a window cleaner can use to access areas of work at height. These include:
Ladders – This is perhaps the most common and simplest of methods used in order to access windows on higher levels, although they are almost certainly not suitable for high-rise buildings.
When cleaning smaller buildings or residential properties, it’s important to understand how to operate a ladder safely. Window cleaners must ensure the correct footwear is worn and that the recommended working loads aren’t exceeded. The height of the ladder should also be appropriate for the job to prevent overreaching and leaning.
Travelling ladders and gantries – These are often deployed on high-rise buildings with large areas of glazed roofing. While useful, high-rise window cleaners must ensure it has been properly installed, inspected, and maintained before each use.
Suspended access equipment – For specialised window cleaning tasks, suspended access equipment such as cradles should be used. Of course, as with any type of access equipment, proper training is essential. The safe working load (SWL) should never be exceeded and the equipment only used in safe weather conditions.
Rope access – There are many scenarios whereby rope access is simply the best way to get the job done. Rope access methods allow cleaners to carry out the job with speed and access locations that may otherwise be difficult to get to. Deploying the correct working practices and PPE is essential.
What external influences can be dangerous?
As well as means of access, there are a range of other hazards that can increase risk when window cleaning on high-rise buildings. According to the HSE, the following external influences must be considered before starting work on a project:
• Project location – Buildings in busy town or city locations can present different risks to those on industrial estates and domestic properties. Consideration should be given to the time of cleaning, traffic conditions, and preventing public access to areas directly below the working area to minimise the risk of them being struck by any falling object.
• Weather conditions – Are there procedures in place to stop work in the event of adverse weather conditions that could endanger those working at height, e.g. high winds when using access equipment?
• Surface – What surface will the access equipment rest on? Is this surface strong enough to take the weight of the workers and their equipment?
• Ground – What is the ground condition under the area where access equipment might need to be set up – for example, is it sloping, muddy or uneven? The access equipment you use must be suitable for the ground conditions: stable, level, and not liable to fall or collapse.
• Tools/materials – What tools or materials will you need for window cleaning? How will you get them up and down safely? How will you secure tools to avoid them being accidentally dropped?
Do you need a strict plan?
There’s always an element of risk attached to working at height. Perhaps accidents are even inevitable from time to time, but with sound preparation, thorough planning, relevant training and the right tools, accidents and injuries when window cleaning can be kept to a minimum.
54 | WINDOW CLEANING AND WORKING AT HEIGHT
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