Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Bay View WCS on April 26, 2013, 08:02:59 am

Title: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Bay View WCS on April 26, 2013, 08:02:59 am
Given a couple of high profile news articles such as:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312884/Window-cleaner-pictured-balancing-100ft-Manhattan-streets-works-WITHOUT-safety-harness.html

and:

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Window-cleaner-injured-18ft-fall/story-18801888-detail/story.html#axzz2RY9ZZRkq

I wonder if we will get to a stage where commercial clients will be forced to refuse traditional window cleaning with the inherent risks.  Surely they have a duty of care to the contractors they employ?

Discuss  ;D
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on April 26, 2013, 08:15:51 am
61 and he falls 18'. Good God. Makes you wonder doesn't it.

Falling 18' at any age is gonna hurt.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on April 26, 2013, 08:23:39 am
"His wife is a teacher at the school"

Once again the school goes with the easy option rather than the best option.

Smashed pelvis is no fun but I guess he's lucky to be alive.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on April 26, 2013, 08:25:15 am
Sounds like it doesn't it.

I bet they go WFP from now on.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: dazmond on April 26, 2013, 08:34:54 am
the guy who i worked for 20 years ago smashed his pelvis falling off his ladders.he s still window cleaning now at 67 and still climbing ladders!! ;D ;D

he says that its too late now to go over to wfp!

i also know another guy who is 68 and still climbing ladders.ive seen him climbing on slate roofs to clean a window even when its blowing a gale!!he s been window cleaning for 50 years!!

some guys are too set in their ways to change.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on April 26, 2013, 08:35:26 am
This so annoys me. It really is just laziness. The 2 main commercial window cleaners in my area are ladder men. The companies and schools that use them just don't realize their liability.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: windiewasher on April 26, 2013, 09:31:29 am
They should all use the system with a mat on the ground. ;D
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on April 26, 2013, 10:10:21 am
They should all use the system with a mat on the ground. ;D

Damn right!  ;D
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: wfp master on April 26, 2013, 02:29:22 pm
its all about saving money getting the husband to do the school.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: richywilts on April 26, 2013, 03:03:53 pm
i went to quote a hotel yesterday 3 storey with basement window on street with railing round

this one http://www.roscoehouse-apartments.co.uk/

trad cleaning doing it off a ladder reason being the client doesnt like the glass being broken all the time by wfp bowever there quite willing for the window cleaner to break bones and possibly kill himself one by falling hitting deck or two by impaling himself on the railing

i said you know what i value my life and my staffs il let him keep this job at £45!!

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: SB Cleaning on April 26, 2013, 03:49:11 pm
i went to quote a hotel yesterday 3 storey with basement window on street with railing round

this one http://www.roscoehouse-apartments.co.uk/

trad cleaning doing it off a ladder reason being the client doesnt like the glass being broken all the time by wfp bowever there quite willing for the window cleaner to break bones and possibly kill himself one by falling hitting deck or two by impaling himself on the railing

i said you know what i value my life and my staffs il let him keep this job at £45!!

 ;D ;D ;D
What do you mean the glass being broken by wfp all the time ???
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: richywilts on April 26, 2013, 04:25:06 pm
they must of pressed to hard on the glass and popped it
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on April 26, 2013, 05:22:11 pm
Ows ya van big rich??
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: richywilts on April 26, 2013, 05:27:36 pm
STILL IN BITS MATE INJECTORS STUCK IN THE HEAD SO PROB GONNA GET IT UP N RUNNING AND PART EX IT IN
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on April 26, 2013, 05:53:19 pm
Told u got a Laguna ere take engine
Out change turbo all done 5 ton
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: chrismyrie on April 26, 2013, 07:38:51 pm
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but whos liable for personal injury on property?,The self employed window cleaner (thats supposed to do a risk assesmet) or the client?....and are there differences between commercial and domestic?
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Mike #1 on April 27, 2013, 07:24:23 am
Regarding 61 yr old windy falling the school's estate contractor witnessed the fall someone who should have known far better in this day and age .

And a similar thing to what Sunshine cleaning has said most commercial work in my area is also done by 2 trad window cleaning companies .

Including the Town hall in the next town but it is more about who knows who and no doubt they are cheap . Mike
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Total shine cleaning services on April 27, 2013, 09:31:07 am
if there is a fall, would the hse not have to be notified and also I know the cleaner is at fault but surely the school is liable as they are paying for the service..?

graham
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Spruce on April 27, 2013, 08:18:11 pm
if there is a fall, would the hse not have to be notified and also I know the cleaner is at fault but surely the school is liable as they are paying for the service..?

graham

In the UK, the hospital was responsible for recording all injuries they were called on to attend at A&E.

When I nearly cut my thumb off with an angle grinder one Sunday 10 years ago, I was quizzed by several members of staff about this accident, ensuring that it was a DIY accident rather than an accident at work. I asked why and was told that the hospital was required to report it if it was an industrial accident.

Each business is also required to run an accident register which they have to complete by law. Following up on hospital cases is the easiest for H & S.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: robertphil on April 27, 2013, 09:09:03 pm
my employee insurance isa up for renewal ,im on ladders and one quote I got yesterday covered for up to 15 metres on ladders,i kid you not

 generally speaking the industry insurance standard for ladder window clean is " up to 10 metres" , I personally only work to 7 metres
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Tom White on April 27, 2013, 10:16:56 pm
my employee insurance isa up for renewal ,im on ladders and one quote I got yesterday covered for up to 15 metres on ladders,i kid you not

 generally speaking the industry insurance standard for ladder window clean is " up to 10 metres" , I personally only work to 7 metres

I seem to remember being asked 'What height I worked at', and it didn't matter whether I was up a ladder or using a pole; it was the height I worked at that was relevant; not how high up off the ground I went.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on April 28, 2013, 07:28:35 am
Robertphil how do you justify employees using a ladder in your risk assessment that is madness you could end up in jail if they fall and are killed.
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: robertphil on April 28, 2013, 02:58:06 pm
Robertphil how do you justify employees using a ladder in your risk assessment that is madness you could end up in jail if they fall and are killed.
presumably you've never ran a ladder firm with employees ?
Title: Re: Commercial Window Cleaning on ladders - a dying breed?
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on April 28, 2013, 06:27:32 pm
Yes before the WAHD and we still use ladders but only when wfp won't do the job