Window cleaning might appear to be one of the easier trades to carry out. Probably because all you seem to need is a bucket, a squeegee, and a ladder, it’s unlikely to be thought of as particularly dangerous to the casual observer. But if we were to look at safety standards that professional window cleaners work to – and indeed, should work to – it would reveal that this common perception is wide of the mark. Even though this is a trade that is rightly subject to a strong safety structure, many people don’t appreciate the safety standards that professional window cleaners adhere to.
Working at height is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities in the UK, and falls from ladders in particular are common across some industries that involve working at height, including construction, roofing, and window cleaning. This situation has led to some legal frameworks stepping in to address the situation, and the consequences of not taking these seriously are clear. For Commercial Window Cleaners Stroud, contact intocleaning.co.uk/contract-cleaning-services/commercial-window-cleaners/stroud/
Professional window cleaners should have a clear understanding that they work under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, among other legislation, and these impose strict legal duties on those who plan, supervise, and manage risk from working at height. A plan to manage the risk from working at height must be created, and a suitable person should be nominated to supervise it.
Further to this, the regulation states that those managing risk from working at height must look to eliminate the hazard or, where this is not reasonably practicable, ensure that the work is carried out by someone competent in its management and use, and where appropriate, that the person carrying out the work is trained and supervised.
Professional window cleaners should understand that this requirement means that they must work from a ladder that is suitable for the task and its user. A risk assessment for specific sites should be carried out to consider the specific access conditions for that site and create a method statement for the work to be carried out, including the equipment to be used.
It is also worth noting that an accident involving an uninsured contractor is not just a minor inconvenience for a property owner. The fall-out can be a difficult, time-consuming, and costly legal and financial situation that snowballs quickly.
Safety standards are not just bureaucratic inconveniences to be worked around; they are needed safety standards and best practices for an industry that takes care of its personnel and its clients.