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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Wrekin C S on August 18, 2009, 08:38:09 am

Title: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: Wrekin C S on August 18, 2009, 08:38:09 am
Anyone know who this is?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8206514.stm

bad news that -  glad to be WFP fell off few times myself when trad...
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: TonyD on August 18, 2009, 09:11:24 am
Poor bloke, hope he recovers.
I'm now doing my trad from a pole, took many hours of practice on my own windows and constantly checking but I can now do a great job that way.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: sparklebright on August 18, 2009, 11:24:43 am
I feel sorry for that guy.

Heard of a guy using wfp while standing on a flat roof, who then walked backwards off the edge.
Isn't there a website called 'The Darwin Awards?'
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: mick partington on August 18, 2009, 01:22:05 pm
just watching a guy this morning on trafford wow really quick up and down that ladder 2 runs at a time skipping along flat roofs over doors clearly very experienced and doing a good job,but i got the impression profit was more on his mind than ladder safety [the joys of youth]
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: wire1078 on August 18, 2009, 03:49:06 pm
one accident isnt that bad considering how many window cleaners there are in the country
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: bad trippy on August 18, 2009, 04:32:01 pm
Here we go again
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: telboy on August 18, 2009, 04:46:58 pm
Here we go again

Lets not start the 'Trad v Waterfed Pole debate again .
It always starts getting nasty. ::)
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: williamx on August 18, 2009, 06:01:51 pm
one accident isnt that bad considering how many window cleaners there are in the country
[/quote

On average there are 12000 reported accidents and several deaths a year from falls from height.

I personally feel that is 12000 too many, and why should any window cleaner need to die just so someone can have clean windows.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: Helen on August 18, 2009, 07:17:08 pm
Think it might be safer to carry ladders/wfp equipment on my back reading this for road traffic accidents ;D

•The number of people killed in road accidents fell by 1 per cent from 3,201 in 2005 to 3,172 in 2006. 31,845 people were killed or seriously injured in 2006, 1 per cent fewer than in 2005. There were 258,404 road casualties in Great Britain in 2006, 5 per cent less than in 2005.

•There were 189,161 road accidents involving personal injury in 2006, 5 per cent fewer than in 2005. Of these, 27,872 accidents involved death or serious injury, less than 1 per cent fewer than in 2005 (27,942).

•The number of deaths among car users in 2006 was 1,612, 4 per cent less than in the previous year. The number seriously injured fell by 2 per cent to 12,642. Total casualties among car users were 171,000, 4 per cent lower than 2005. Provisional traffic estimates indicate a 1 per cent rise in car and taxi traffic over the period
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: poleman on August 18, 2009, 10:12:14 pm
Think it might be safer to carry ladders/wfp equipment on my back reading this for road traffic accidents ;D

•The number of people killed in road accidents fell by 1 per cent from 3,201 in 2005 to 3,172 in 2006. 31,845 people were killed or seriously injured in 2006, 1 per cent fewer than in 2005. There were 258,404 road casualties in Great Britain in 2006, 5 per cent less than in 2005.

•There were 189,161 road accidents involving personal injury in 2006, 5 per cent fewer than in 2005. Of these, 27,872 accidents involved death or serious injury, less than 1 per cent fewer than in 2005 (27,942).

•The number of deaths among car users in 2006 was 1,612, 4 per cent less than in the previous year. The number seriously injured fell by 2 per cent to 12,642. Total casualties among car users were 171,000, 4 per cent lower than 2005. Provisional traffic estimates indicate a 1 per cent rise in car and taxi traffic over the period


And your point is!
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 18, 2009, 10:14:41 pm
Think it might be safer to carry ladders/wfp equipment on my back reading this for road traffic accidents ;D

•The number of people killed in road accidents fell by 1 per cent from 3,201 in 2005 to 3,172 in 2006. 31,845 people were killed or seriously injured in 2006, 1 per cent fewer than in 2005. There were 258,404 road casualties in Great Britain in 2006, 5 per cent less than in 2005.

•There were 189,161 road accidents involving personal injury in 2006, 5 per cent fewer than in 2005. Of these, 27,872 accidents involved death or serious injury, less than 1 per cent fewer than in 2005 (27,942).

•The number of deaths among car users in 2006 was 1,612, 4 per cent less than in the previous year. The number seriously injured fell by 2 per cent to 12,642. Total casualties among car users were 171,000, 4 per cent lower than 2005. Provisional traffic estimates indicate a 1 per cent rise in car and taxi traffic over the period


And your point is!
point is whatever you do there is a danger,you can still get hurt in yout wfp van going to work
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: Helen on August 19, 2009, 06:26:38 pm
And your point is!

That over 3,000 people get killed in road traffic accidents per year in this country.
How many people are killed using ladders?
Not that I'm backing the use of ladders but get a sense of perspective here on risk and the likelyhood of something happening.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 19, 2009, 06:33:58 pm
And your point is!

That over 3,000 people get killed in road traffic accidents per year in this country.
How many people are killed using ladders?
Not that I'm backing the use of ladders but get a sense of perspective here on risk and the likelyhood of something happening.
well said
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: tomy jackson on August 19, 2009, 08:20:03 pm
WFP safeley
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: CCM on August 19, 2009, 08:45:56 pm
right, well Alvechurch is barely Birmingham..more Bromsgrove or Redditch really, despite it's postcode. but that's not the point. 20 feet...100 feet...why oh why are the messages not geting through...get off the flippin' ladders...I honestly don't know why some people are still risking their health, their business and their Families future welfare by doing stupid things that threaten everything they hold dear...is it just me ? C'mon stop being tight...invest and get Pro...now.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: CCM on August 19, 2009, 08:53:46 pm
PS: His accident was in Bentley Heath...an area of Solihull...a very affluent area...10 miles from Birmingham.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: JSMC on August 19, 2009, 09:04:47 pm
chest and back protection would be good similar to moto cross equipment but not as flashy or you would look like a power ranger or stormtrooper lol
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: CCM on August 19, 2009, 09:11:25 pm
missing the point...the fall from a pole is a very short one...
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 19, 2009, 11:06:51 pm
right, well Alvechurch is barely Birmingham..more Bromsgrove or Redditch really, despite it's postcode. but that's not the point. 20 feet...100 feet...why oh why are the messages not geting through...get off the flippin' ladders...I honestly don't know why some people are still risking their health, their business and their Families future welfare by doing stupid things that threaten everything they hold dear...is it just me ? C'mon stop being tight...invest and get Pro...now.
i enjoy cleaning windows off ladders so why switch,wfp looks like a boring factory job to me
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: kenaltobelli on August 20, 2009, 07:22:07 pm
in the last moto gp they were going to ride with air bags in the leathers;
 might be an idea to get a set riged up for off the ladders could be some money in that
 get on to unger or ettorie for some r and d help ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: telboy on August 21, 2009, 01:39:19 pm
.
i enjoy cleaning windows off ladders so why switch,wfp looks like a boring factory job to me


What a stupid thing to say ???
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 21, 2009, 04:16:23 pm
.
i enjoy cleaning windows off ladders so why switch,wfp looks like a boring factory job to me


What a stupid thing to say ???
what that i enjoy using ladders  ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 21, 2009, 04:17:18 pm
or that wfp looks like posh road sweepers  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: tomy jackson on August 21, 2009, 04:54:46 pm
its less boring then trad , ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: telboy on August 21, 2009, 05:02:02 pm
.
i enjoy cleaning windows off ladders so why switch,wfp looks like a boring factory job to me


What a stupid thing to say ???
what that i enjoy using ladders  ;D

No That it looks like factory job ::)
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: telboy on August 21, 2009, 05:05:52 pm
If you have some thing constructive to say against WFP

 Say it

Dont make stupid irrelevent remarks on a thread about some thing very serious.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: CCM on August 21, 2009, 05:25:27 pm
now now girls...
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: GWCS on August 21, 2009, 06:06:00 pm
ladders are as safe as wfp (2-3 stories only) in the right hands.. if you rush or do not prepare properly enough, check your equipment, have appropriate training and warn others of their use, then your likely to get into problems.

99% of accidents are caused by lack of thought, understanding and planning.

However I use wfp for 80% of my work as i prefer to keep my feet on the ground. I charge more for ladder work as the time taken to do the same job safely is slower.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: Nathanael Jones on August 21, 2009, 06:49:14 pm
The chances of falling from a ladder are small,.. but when you climb those rungs 100 times a day, 250 odd days a year, it isn't long before even the safest & best trained operator can simply run out of luck.
Ladders will never be banned, but they are already restricted, and those restrictions do directly affect window cleaners. I think its only sensible for even the most hardcore trad cleaners to have a basic WFP backpack setup as part of their gear, even if its only used for those really high or awkward windows. I'm not saying everyone should switch to WFP, just be sensible & well informed about ALL the tools & methods of the trade,.. maximise your potential and minimise risks.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: CCM on August 21, 2009, 07:34:26 pm
Life is risk. Should I ? Shouldn't I ?....ladders or pole ? both ? God or no God..and then which brand ? It's all an insurers dream..some will argue this way, others another...choice.

I think you have to make the best decision for yourselves, based on the information you have to hand. I made mine and I'm sticking to it, but I'm not you...or you...think things through and the answer will be there...for you.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: weetot on August 22, 2009, 10:32:44 am
you say potatoes and i say tomatoes ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 22, 2009, 01:34:47 pm
you say potatoes and i say tomatoes ;D
;D ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: luther1 on August 22, 2009, 10:57:30 pm
Was back on my ladders all last week because of my van being in the garage and i quite enjoyed it. Didn't have to go to the gym either,and gates were easier to climb over. Didn't get my ladders caught round any dustbins or pot plants either!
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 22, 2009, 11:20:17 pm
Was back on my ladders all last week because of my van being in the garage and i quite enjoyed it. Didn't have to go to the gym either,and gates were easier to climb over. Didn't get my ladders caught round any dustbins or pot plants either!
;D ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: tacky on August 23, 2009, 07:45:14 pm
just hit the frigging sky dish off .
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: HIGH LEVEL WINDOW CLEANERS (scrimmy) on August 23, 2009, 07:54:22 pm
wise man said " do ladders if you want but do wfp if you want as well"

wise words or wot.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: martinsadie on August 23, 2009, 08:08:09 pm
just hit the frigging sky dish off .
i broke on last year,health and safty idiots,sky engineers dont put them as high as they used too  ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: tacky on August 23, 2009, 08:11:11 pm
so did my son .the air was blue i can tell u
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: dave.e on August 23, 2009, 08:15:28 pm
Was back on my ladders all last week because of my van being in the garage and i quite enjoyed it. Didn't have to go to the gym either,and gates were easier to climb over. Didn't get my ladders caught round any dustbins or pot plants either!
[/quote





Hi  luther1 how did you get on with going back to ladders for the week i am interested because i think by the time you have set up wfp moved van got hose Court round everything you know the score would you say you got your weeks work done on time or not .Dave
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: Londoner on August 24, 2009, 07:19:50 am
I was working in Ruislip a couple of weeks back and a painter fell off his ladder at the house opposite. I didn't see what happened but he wasn't really hurt, just hobbling around pulling faces.

However, I know of two or three window cleaners in our area who have had really bad falls. One, a guy called John Salmon would have been dead except for the fact that the son of the householder came home from school early. I picked up quite a few of his old customers.

Another one called Gary broke his leg and never came back although his wife tried to keep things going for a while.

These stories don't make it onto the BBC but they are happening all the time all over the country.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: jonnyald on August 24, 2009, 07:25:33 am
-------


However, I know of two or three window cleaners in our area who have had really bad falls. One, a guy called John Salmon would have been dead except for the fact that the son of the householder came home from school early. I picked up quite a few of his old customers.

Another one called Gary broke his leg and never came back although his wife tried to keep things going for a while.

These stories don't make it onto the BBC but they are happening all the time all over the country.

whats john salmon doing now then?  and gary?
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: Londoner on August 24, 2009, 07:50:34 am
John Salmon is not working anymore as far as I know, last I heard he was still suffering from the effects of the fall and will probably never work again. He had been the local window cleaner for over 20 years and everybody know him.

He fell getting back on his ladder from a flat roof in Mount Pleasant, Ruislip and suffered head injuries. He's lucky to be alive.

As for Gary and his wife, they just vanished. I heard he fell and broke his leg. Then his wife took over some of the round for a while but then she couldn't get on with the squeegee and used something she got from the supermarket. (Mr Muscle or similar). If I took you round my customers today you can still tell the windows she cleaned. They bead like mad, even after several years.
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: jonnyald on August 24, 2009, 07:58:54 am
thats sad about JOHN  isnt it /               but a bit funny about the legacy left by GARYS  wife for you Vince  ;D

 
Title: Re: Window Cleaner Falls In Brum
Post by: Sean Dyer on August 24, 2009, 08:02:36 am
John Salmon is not working anymore as far as I know, last I heard he was still suffering from the effects of the fall and will probably never work again. He had been the local window cleaner for over 20 years and everybody know him.

He fell getting back on his ladder from a flat roof in Mount Pleasant, Ruislip and suffered head injuries. He's lucky to be alive.

As for Gary and his wife, they just vanished. I heard he fell and broke his leg. Then his wife took over some of the round for a while but then she couldn't get on with the squeegee and used something she got from the supermarket. (Mr Muscle or similar). If I took you round my customers today you can still tell the windows she cleaned. They bead like mad, even after several years.

Ive got some like that , where the missus has gone and cleaned them on a mad spring clean day all downstairs and then they are a nightmare for years, WHY? when im due the next week or something lol
Sometimes they have friends coming and dont want the windows to be dirty and you might be due back ina week or so but they cant wait, it ruins the glass surface though what the hell is in mr muscle type glass cleaners???