Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: matthewprice on June 18, 2011, 03:18:14 pm
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i am mostly wfp now but got a few houses still trad due to location done one yesterday always held on to a metal fixing in wall 20 foot up it came away one leg through second top rung,other leg crumpled.dont know how i managed to hang on.needless to say lots of bumps and bruises.
very sore today but could have been so much worse.all you trad guys be safe.
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I'm pleased to know that you are alright. It must have shaken you up a bit.
I am trad, and I am sure this thread will bring out all the wfp guys who will repeat the old chestnut that tradding is dangerous and the only safe way is wfp.
Yes, they are right, in that using ladders carries its risks, but as long as we are fully aware of those risks, we have a healthy respect for them, and use the correct ladders in the correct way, we will be safe enough.
Was the metal fixing sucured properly into the wall, or did the wall crumble, causing the fixing to come away when you held on to it? What actually happened here?
Either way, if it happened to me I would tell the customer what happened, and discuss what you will be doing next time that window is due for cleaning.
John.
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in no way am i trying to down trad ,was trad for 25 years and only had 3 low key accidents
knees not that great now ,felt it was time to go wfp.back to the point ,the fixing was into sand stone that crumbled ???
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strange,similar happened to me yest . maybe the recent rain has weakened the cement???
in my case i was going to step off my ladder onto a wide victorian sill,but the sill it suddenly gave way on me . looking closer it had fallen off in the past and had been glued back on with mastic and painted over
id walked along this sill before ,not on the ladder , i now realize how stupid that was . i wonder if the homeowner will get in touch when they see the crack ive left behind
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strange,similar happened to me yest . maybe the recent rain has weakened the cement???
in my case i was going to step off my ladder onto a wide victorian sill,but the sill it suddenly gave way on me . looking closer it had fallen off in the past and had been glued back on with mastic and painted over
id walked along this sill before ,not on the ladder , i now realize how stupid that was . i wonder if the homeowner will get in touch when they see the crack ive left behind
Not knocking wfp at all (we all have our own way of doing things, and neither is wrong) but is it possible then that if you had been poling, that the brush could have knocked against the sill, thus dislodging the loose part, and bringing down said loose part onto wfp operator's head?
John
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muppet
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strange,similar happened to me yest . maybe the recent rain has weakened the cement???
in my case i was going to step off my ladder onto a wide victorian sill,but the sill it suddenly gave way on me . looking closer it had fallen off in the past and had been glued back on with mastic and painted over
id walked along this sill before ,not on the ladder , i now realize how stupid that was . i wonder if the homeowner will get in touch when they see the crack ive left behind
Not knocking wfp at all (we all have our own way of doing things, and neither is wrong) but is it possible then that if you had been poling, that the brush could have knocked against the sill, thus dislodging the loose part, and bringing down said loose part onto wfp operator's head?
John
a possibility yes. i just brushed the loose mortar off and sat the stone back in place. if a high wind blows it off(its on the seafront ) it will land in the garden below
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from the window tools forum
2 bad falls in sheffield this week
sadly one bloke died and the other looks like he won't work again...both usin ladders and both uninsured,the fella that dies ended up having a stroke due to the shock (he was in his late 50's) then went into a coma and never woke up...the other bloke is in his 60's god knows what he's doin climbing ladders at his age but he won't be anymore the bloke he works with told me he'll never work again......
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I have had more near misses with ladders since turing wfp, than I did in all the years that I was working trad.
I think that because I am not using them all the time my ladder skills have gone a bit rusty.
Be careful out there, part time ladder boys.
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I have had more near misses with ladders since turing wfp, than I did in all the years that I was working trad.
I think that because I am not using them all the time my ladder skills have gone a bit rusty.
Be careful out there, part time ladder boys.
Good advice, and us full time ladder boys need to avoid complacency too.
John.
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I went wfp in feb after spending most of last year in a wheelchair, i came off a ladder last july and got 8 fractures at the base of the ankle, the whole thing had to be rebuilt, but i do consider myself lucky to walk again and they are taking all the metal work out soon, but ill still walk with a limp for years. I now use ladders for access ONLY!
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johnny and others you lot sound so stupid when you say things like you do, spend a grand and not use ladders and earn more, when you do have a bad fall dont come on here moaning as you cant work for 6 months and loose most of your custys as enough guys on here have said it happened to them, simple realy spend a grand = less chance of accidents and earn more money and comply with health and safty
i will say muppets if you cant see it
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i am 99%wfp but i have 9 houses out of my whole run that cant be wfp as i have had these for years i dont have the heart to cancel ;D
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re: matt, why cant u wfp those 9 jobs mate? metal frames? if so u can get around that. If it was me id meet them 1/2 way & wfp tops only if it means that much 2 u? But ive even started 2 look at my ladder access only work, and thinking is it really worth the risk? Ive got enough work, so maybe ill sell it on even though its cream! U could fall on your arse @ less than 6ft high & ya spines gone, end of.
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not the windows its the where they are a long way up a hill with lots of bushes.starting to think like ;D ;D you
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Hey Woody1, you call ladder users muppets, well guess what, I've just looked at your back posts, and I say you're a fookin hypocrite.
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Had a near miss myself this morning so after going self employed last month after 20 years employed as a window cleaner.Seriously cosidering going wfp purely for safety reasons.Used wfp for over a year working for a company definitely no quicker than trad,definitely safer.
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Matthew, why not get a backpack £130 and stick it on a cheap trolley. Gives you flexibility to get to those awkward hard to reach places. Can be carried through a house if necessary.
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good point would be the answer
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johnny and others you lot sound so stupid when you say things like you do, spend a grand and not use ladders and earn more, when you do have a bad fall dont come on here moaning as you cant work for 6 months and loose most of your custys as enough guys on here have said it happened to them, simple realy spend a grand = less chance of accidents and earn more money and comply with health and safty
i will say muppets if you cant see it
Do you seriously think I would come on here and bleat that I have had a fall and can't work again? No. I make my choice and am prepared to live with the consequences. My responsibility, my problem. And would you be concerned about me if I did? No, of course you wouldn't, and I wouldn't expect you to.
It's sad that you have to resort to name calling and language to belittle others whose viewpoint differs from your own. I however, will not lower myself to your level.
It seems to me that even if you choose wfp, there are still occasions when you may need to use ladders. Correct me if I this is incorrect. What is so stupid about encouraging us all to be careful when using ladders? Or are you actually hoping we will fall, then you can have a good gloat at our expense?
For the record, I have looked into the feasibility of going WFP, and after careful considerstion, I concluded that it is not for me.
John.
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I use mine a lot, problem is you have to keep filling up. Great for a few windows. You'd have to work really quick to get an average size house done before it needs filling. But a really useful bit of kit - probably my best buy!
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I would also pull out your hose out as far u can (100m?) and use this as a filling point, but make sure u put out as many warning signs that uve got (wether that makes a difference?), bcos u might have a toeragg wandering about looking 4 a claim!
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Hey Woody1, you call ladder users muppets, well guess what, I've just looked at your back posts, and I say you're a fookin hypocrite.
I've just had a look as well.
May I, in particular, draw the honourable gentleman's attention to the comments he made on 3rd February 2010, at 6:24:54 pm, and invite his response please.
Woody1, the floor is yours. ;D
John.
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yeah i agree i did slag pole users of and i will openly admit i was wrong why would you not convert over its safer, less demanding on your body and you will be abble to clean more which is more money, come on guys are you for real you do this to make a living see it as a big pay rise then also if the way i talk offends you tuff grow some or go dress up in a little dress ;D
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yeah i agree i did slag pole users of and i will openly admit i was wrong why would you not convert over its safer, less demanding on your body and you will be abble to clean more which is more money, come on guys are you for real you do this to make a living see it as a big pay rise then also if the way i talk offends you tuff grow some or go dress up in a little dress ;D
This i what you said verbatim, on 3.2.2010:
'I think people should except some prefer wfp and others like ladder work each to their own, all this sniping just proves most wfp's can't traditional window cleaning safely and quick enough ladders are safe enough if used properley, wfp users have accidents too I think keep your silly unconstructive opinions to yourselfs'.
I actually agree with almost everything you say in this post!
With all due respect and no name calling to yourself, why the complete U-turn? Why did you say that ladders are safe enough if used correctly, now you are saying they are not? What is your experience? Did you have a fall?
John, or if you wish, Kermit
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no i changed to earn more and safty as have young family but a lot changed for fallling what i would say is re think about changing over to water fed pole
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Fair comment.
I would say though, that I am very, very careful, (close to OCD when it comes to ladder placement, safety consciousness etc.) I am slow to the point of not being able to catch a cold!
Like yourself, I am a family man, so if I ever felt I was in danger from falling from my ladders, I wouldn't climb it in the first place.
As I said, I did look into WFP, but I decided after weighing up all the pros and cons, that it wasn't for me. That said, I fully respect those who disagree with me.
Best wishes,
John.
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so as your so carefull on ladder placement with wfp you could prob tripple your round and money surely this is enough every one wants more money for the same hours at work :)
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Maybe I could, but I am really happy and content with the way things are now.
I have a good little round, great customers and no stress. I earn enough to live on.
I know I am an oddball(!), but if I am happy, why would I want to change that?
John.
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heres a photo of where i had a lucky escape . the bit that broke away is the right corner . looking at it now i can see it was silly to step on it,but i had been doing just that for ages - never again !
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can see how you done it, if that crack wasnt there you wouldthink thats fairly safe