WINTER MAINTENANCE A PANESTAKING PROFESSION
David Saville, Operations Director of Principle Cleaning Services’ Window Cleaning division takes a look at the processes that go into ensuring the highest standards are upheld when cleaning windows during the winter months.
Evolution The art of window cleaning has changed in a number of significant ways over the past 30 years. Practises have been improved, largely following safety legislation and more varied demands and expectations from clients, not to mention the spectacular designs some of the new buildings on our skyline are graced with.
But some traditions have remained. Window cleaning is still a manual task often carried out during the early mornings or at other times out of normal working hours.
“Thought will be given to equipment so that the risk of any fall is eliminated wherever possible.”
But one thing which has not changed in all of that time is the climate. The dark mornings and the cold weather remain; window cleaners have to carry out their task throughout the year to keep buildings looking good.
The working environment of anyone working at high level has to be controlled like the environment of any other working person, and above all, the working place has to be safe and the environment sustainable in the long term so that window cleaners are safe along with anyone potentially affected by their work including passers-by below.
Planning
Planning is now meticulous. Window cleaners will use an app to check weather and wind speeds days in advance so they can plan tasks and schedule safely and effectively, and keep clients up to date. High work outdoors from cradles, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) or ropes will now be planned so that conditions are suitable. On the day, work will usually be delayed until daylight.
Anemometers are used to check wind speed and work will be postponed if winds are too high or if the temperature is forecast to be too cold. Plans are formalised in the task and site-specific method statements, including formal plans for rescue which may be affected by wintry conditions.
Equipment
Due to the hierarchy of access stipulated in the Working at Height Regulations, thought will be given to equipment so that the risk of any fall is eliminated wherever possible. Reach and wash systems are in widespread use because of this and because they are also becoming even more effective and efficient than the earlier models. They can be used in cold conditions albeit consideration has to be given in freezing conditions to any water running off becoming a slip hazard. Even the hot water systems cannot be used in conditions near freezing.
Other equipment – ropes, MEWPS, cradles – can be used in certain winter conditions but each individual case must be assessed and documented in a risk assessment with accompanying method statement before being communicated to all staff involved and it must also be reviewed at regular intervals. Generally, nowadays, it is rare to see window cleaners going far up a ladder in any conditions, but particularly in the winter.
Uniform
Keeping warm in the winter at work is a safety consideration for window cleaners and their employers. On wintry days you can still expect to see window cleaners smartly dressed but with all kinds of extra items to keep them warm – winter gloves, hats, snoods, ear muffs and even sunglasses, and typically the cradle rescue kits will contain cold weather equipment.
So, modern window cleaners are provided with all of the tools to help them stay safe in all conditions. Smart phones and apps help to plan properly and communicate quickly; clear guidelines on what equipment is suitable and in what situation along with site-specific, clear and regularly reviewed instructions from their employers; appropriate workwear to protect them from cold and wet conditions.
And, if the weather is too wintry, there are always the internal windows to be cleaned.
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