Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mgba_78 on October 01, 2006, 06:06:03 pm

Title: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: mgba_78 on October 01, 2006, 06:06:03 pm
Hi
Check this out, local cleaner to me who doent like me as I pinched a job from him even though it was double to cost as the shop didnt like the guy. He said he was going to report me to HSE, trading standards, local council etc  etc blah blah as what i did was illegal and i'm probably uninsured and have no idea about H&S.
Well while driving through town other day i saw him cleaning a building and check him out.............
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/adaily/windowcleaner.jpg)

Over streching and stepping off the ladder onto the sill, how silly!!!!!
One thing to fall from a ladder but check the spikes on the fencing.

I may print this off and give it to him saying i have reported him due to bad practice!!

Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Robert Parry on October 01, 2006, 06:12:14 pm
Afraid I agree!!!!!!

You can lead a horse to water.........

Regards,

Rob
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: brett walker on October 01, 2006, 06:14:12 pm
 :o If he keeps cleaning windows like that you'll end up with all his work because he'll be dead, i wouldnt fancy landing on them spikes :(

Brett.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: reah on October 01, 2006, 07:13:29 pm
Wow
standing with one leg in contact with the ladder above those spikey railings.
The way he is over stretching is an acident waiting to happen.
I wonder if he has any family.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: niceandclean on October 01, 2006, 07:24:04 pm
T**T !!!! He will not be cleaning for much longer!!!
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Scrimble on October 02, 2006, 05:51:16 pm
that is absolutly crazy, he must be mad
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Fast 1 * on October 02, 2006, 06:00:07 pm
I would of just stuck my pointers on the reveal at an angle,then its comfortable work.the geezers a numpty
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 02, 2006, 06:22:04 pm
Yeah, I can 110% guarantee he will die soon.

Not the best way to do it, but he'll probably be fine.
Get on with your own lives....... ::)
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Ian_Giles on October 02, 2006, 06:48:49 pm
strange reply Squeaks...

This is the kind of stupidity that is speeding along all those new rules and regulations that are always coming out regards health and Safety.

This is the kind of guy who is a walking advert for all those calling for the banning of working off ladders.

you are right of course, he won't fall off his ladder anytime soon, he's probably had that account for years.
But in the current climate everything he is doing is wrong!

In the past I've done way worse than that, and to be honest, if I was still just trad cleaning there are accounts that I would do something similar.
I've no doubt he feels quite safe with one foot on that sill...

He isn't of course, one minor slip and he won't stand a chance of recovering his balance.
Thud!
One more statistic to go in the book.


Ian
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: jasonl on October 02, 2006, 06:59:17 pm
You have a legal responsibility to point out to him the risk in those practices, if you are aware of them, or it could potentially be you in trouble, esp now you have posted the pic here, seriously, report him for your own sake.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: M4RK on October 02, 2006, 07:06:44 pm
I met a guy in Scarborough that fell off his ladders window cleaning years ago and landed on spiked rainings like that.

He was only a teenager at the time. Very very fortunate to survive, they had to cut him off.

Doesn't bear thinking about.

Mark
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: dai on October 02, 2006, 08:58:15 pm

I would of just stuck my pointers on the reveal at an angle,then its comfortable work.the geezers a numpty.
That's why pointers are far better for window cleaning. This picture is a perfect example of why we should all use them. They are so much safer to use, apart from WFP of course. Dai
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: windows_chepstow on October 02, 2006, 09:07:11 pm
I'm probably going to be told I'm stupid for this, and you maybe right...

But:

I suspect the feet of his ladders are backed up against a concrete foundation for the metal railings; so his ladders are not going to slip backwards.

The right hand side of his ladder looks like it's leaning on the sill, but also against the right hand edge of the stone window opening; a part of the building; and if he knows what he's doing, he'll angle the ladders slightly, so it can't slip left; and definately can't slip right, because of the building infrastructure is stopping it.

I also guess, because we can't see, that he's lifted his ladders up quite high, past the sill; so has a firm handhold.

Okay, his use of ladders isn't text-book; but I think it could be safe.

Please line-up, in an orderly cue to call me stupid!
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 02, 2006, 09:11:26 pm
I'm reasonably in agreeance with you Tosh. (note that down).

It's not dangerous really, except for the stretching.
That's one thing I try not to do these days.
After you've stretched you've got to step back down onto the rung, and it's not nice. :-\
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Pj on October 02, 2006, 09:13:35 pm
Yeah, I can 110% guarantee he will die soon.

Not the best way to do it, but he'll probably be fine.
Get on with your own lives....... ::)

Balanced reply Rog, as generally. ;)
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 02, 2006, 09:29:30 pm
Yeah, I can 110% guarantee he will die soon.

Not the best way to do it, but he'll probably be fine.
Get on with your own lives....... ::)

Balanced reply Rog, as generally. ;)

Balanced topic as usual.... ;)
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 02, 2006, 09:34:52 pm
Fine thankyou Mr J.
A bit tired from a over-indulgent weekend away in Sussex, so I skived off today.

Should have gone and pestered Ross.....

Good chat section this isn't it? ;D
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: windows_chepstow on October 02, 2006, 09:36:36 pm
I'm reasonably in agreeance with you Tosh. (note that down).


Note this:

I reckon that job would take around 10 minutes for a maintenance clean with a WFP; and there'd be almost no risk at all!
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Pj on October 02, 2006, 09:40:26 pm
I'd allow 20 mins front.  Nice and clean ;D

AND SAFE

I used to do this.  I can't believe it now :-[
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: matt on October 02, 2006, 09:50:32 pm
what if he fell backwards though, he would have to rely on superman to be flying past to save him
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Pj on October 02, 2006, 09:58:14 pm
I knew a guy who fell from a ladder and landed on railings like these.

6 months later...

He was, not only unrecognizable, but he didn't know who we were either!

TRUE
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 02, 2006, 10:20:09 pm
what if he fell backwards though, he would have to rely on superman to be flying past to save him
I'm forever just falling backwards off ladders.

I get bored of it.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Pj on October 02, 2006, 10:24:58 pm
It's not a jib at you personally, Rog.

It happens!  And, believe me, more than you realise.

I reckon I could count at least 20 serious falls I know of...And I'm nobody
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Archy136 on October 02, 2006, 10:28:55 pm
Probably about 5 mins work on that one window. I could wpf the whole front in 5 mins. That picture just makes even more convinced what a fantasic invention Wfp is.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 02, 2006, 10:35:44 pm
Probably about 5 mins work on that one window. I could wpf the whole front in 5 mins. That picture just makes even more convinced what a fantasic invention Wfp is.
;D ;D ;D ;

That's even funnier than the picture.

5 minutes, and it's perfect with no spots! ;D
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Pj on October 02, 2006, 10:40:26 pm
5 minutes!  I'd say covered in spots.

20 minutes, no spots, no danger....

no bait, no bite, no nonsense..... just fact.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Ian_Giles on October 02, 2006, 10:54:57 pm
Please guys, what the hell has this got to do with WFP?

Don't subvert what could be an interesting debate into the safe use of ladders, or of those in authority using examples of this kind as an excuse to ban ladders.

Any further mention of WFP on this thread will be dealt with in the usual manner

Ian
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Pj on October 02, 2006, 11:38:39 pm
Please guys, what the hell has this got to do with WFP?

Don't subvert what could be an interesting debate into the safe use of ladders, or of those in authority using examples of this kind as an excuse to ban ladders.

Any further mention of WFP on this thread will be dealt with in the usual manner

Ian

Don't be so inconsistent you heavy footed yob, Ian!

A few days ago you took over my topic about pricing a job, completely!
I just wanted a quick overview of pricing on metal casement windows....
You gave at least 4 replies, taking it way off topic as far as I was concenrned.  You posted pictures, had a boring argument with Squeaky, which as far as most of us are concerned, you should sort out on a street corner near you, yaaaaawwwwwnn.  I lost interest on my own post!

And now you have the audacity to demand that we stay on topic!


Look at the picture again!  Method might have some bearing!

It's just you and Squeaky bashing it out again if you're not careful, which is losing ratings on this forum

A man risking his life on a window ledge 15'-18' up could have a lot to do with wfp, regardless of your own personal interpretation of the first post.
there may be a safer way than the method he is using, that's all.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Paul Coleman on October 02, 2006, 11:53:44 pm
I'm probably going to be told I'm stupid for this, and you maybe right...

But:

I suspect the feet of his ladders are backed up against a concrete foundation for the metal railings; so his ladders are not going to slip backwards.

The right hand side of his ladder looks like it's leaning on the sill, but also against the right hand edge of the stone window opening; a part of the building; and if he knows what he's doing, he'll angle the ladders slightly, so it can't slip left; and definately can't slip right, because of the building infrastructure is stopping it.

I also guess, because we can't see, that he's lifted his ladders up quite high, past the sill; so has a firm handhold.

Okay, his use of ladders isn't text-book; but I think it could be safe.

Please line-up, in an orderly cue to call me stupid!

Sure thing Tosh.  I've done similar myself before to guard against ladder slip. I wouldn't do it above those railings though.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: EasyClean on October 03, 2006, 12:01:31 am
I picked up quite a bit of work in a certain area where I work a while ago because the previous window cleaner (he was 53 and had been doing it all his working life), fell off his ladder and had a nasty fall. He broke quite a few bones and doesn't work anymore. Luckily for him he recovered well: he has a wife and three grown up children. My heart really went out to him and his family. He was always very careful up ladders but accidents do happen no matter how careful you are. Fate can strike at any moment so my message to all you traditional window cleaners- BE CAUTIOUS!
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Ian_Giles on October 03, 2006, 05:39:11 am
PJ
It's one thing saying that for an account like this WFP is a much better and less risky method and explaining why you think so.
Quite another to make it about WFP leaving spots or not leaving spots ending out with several 'smart mouth' replies.
In the other thread of yours my replies and pic (boring or otherwise) were still about time taken on work both trad and WFP, both being mentioned in your original topic heading if I recall.
This thread is potentially a good one that doesn't deserve to be twisted into "Trad is better than WFP cos it leaves no spots."
And; "No it isn't, you can do a perfect job on that place with WFP."

That photo of yours can be interpreted many ways, I was looking forward to seeing a good safety debate develop.

Ian
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Archy136 on October 03, 2006, 09:21:31 am
I just want to ask Squeaky one question. This is not a loaded question, and am not going to use it to have a pop at you. I'm just interested to know.

Do you think WFP leaves spots on ALL types of windows or do think it comes up well on some windows?
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: geefree on October 03, 2006, 10:22:08 am
i guess this is where a pointer comes in handy eh guys ?

gary.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: poleman on October 03, 2006, 10:28:33 am
NO WAY in this life time is that classed as safe to put a ladder up by them railings FULL STOP

Andy
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: DaveWilkinson on October 03, 2006, 02:25:56 pm
Looks like he has most of his weight on his right leg and if im correct is on his tip toes, now im no expert but that is asking for trouble.

Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Derek_Walker on October 03, 2006, 03:02:24 pm
Very bad practise, apart from the obvious it looks like the ladder is also on a slope down to the doorway. I did notice that he put his bucket out of harms way in case he fell on it, well you have to look after your tools :)
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 03, 2006, 04:03:20 pm
I just want to ask Squeaky one question. This is not a loaded question, and am not going to use it to have a pop at you. I'm just interested to know.

Do you think WFP leaves spots on ALL types of windows or do think it comes up well on some windows?
Probably not ALL windows, just the large majority of ones I've seen.
Also a lot of people have complained to me, and it's got me some decent work.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Archy136 on October 03, 2006, 05:31:59 pm
Honestly I dont want to start on this old chestnut again. It's not the right thread for it I know. But dont you think squeaky if that if that was the case we would all be out of business. I lot of people dont check their windows I know but alot do aswell. Theres no way customers would put up with.

Anyway back to the dodgy ladder.
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 03, 2006, 05:58:30 pm
Customers aren't a fussy as you think, that's why you can get away with it.

Most customers are glad of the "great improvement"
A few spots and runs won't get noticed.

Anyway, back to the topic...... ;D

Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: mgba_78 on October 03, 2006, 06:59:33 pm
Hi

Just to say although i posted this topic, I am a TRADITIONAL cleaner it wasnt meant to be WFP is better topic, more of a, if you use ladders take more care topic and be sensible!!!!!!

Oh and just incase anyone wants to know he is ok, saw him cleaning (on the ground) today and in one piece.

Andy
Title: Re: Stupid Stupid man!!!!!
Post by: Archy136 on October 03, 2006, 10:18:28 pm
No need for that. Both myself and squeaky acknowlegded we went off the subject.