http://www.industrialsafetytalk.com/news/hea/hea315.html
The way I read that article is that, for all practical purposes, ladders are not allowed to be used by window cleaners for about 95%+ of windows because of the existence of the water fed pole. However, if the water fed pole gets banned due to water shortages, it won't stop me reverting back to ladders. It seems as though we will soon be facing a choice of which law to break in order to remain financially solvent as ordinary (non-water fed) poles aren't really such a good job - especially on hotter days. Not an enviable position to be in.
It reminds me of that Billy Connolly album about the pitbulls a few years ago - the bit that went "Do we shoot them or do we cut their b***s off?" Damned if I do and damned if I don't.
Well I would rather be damned by H & S than by the water company. Apart from that, there is more chance of being caught (due to being grassed up) by the water company than by H & S.
