[EZclean]

Just had a fall wfp.
Nice £30 bungalow with a high dorma at the back, so I use my carbon gangster and use the short section for the rest.
A while back they had a pond put in front of one of the windows, the path is now maybe 3ft wide from the pond to the house. The pond is big. The window is about 7ft wide.
It's never been a problem although I've nearly lost my balance a few times, so I've always been careful where I stand.
Today one of the flags that overhangs the pond was loose and in I went!
flagstone went in the pond.
Hurt my back and side, think I've taken the nail off my big toe, but I haven't checked. Bashed my knee and banged my legs. Went with a right bang.
Worsed of all snapped my pole. 
The gardener was there and helped me back up.
Managed to finish off the clean last bit Is the office, so the gardener has been to tell the customers I've had a fall, probably already watched It back on cctv.
Paid me.
asked If I was ok then I was gone.

Now I'm not bothered to much about my injuries, but my pole is irreparable, that'll cost me 70quid if they are still on offer at cheshire fishing. And they don't do spare sections I've tried before. Otherwise its over hundred pound.

Customers not short of a few quid. 

So should I put a claim in because of the loose flag? 

[Sean Dyer]

not if you want to keep the job?

Just ask for them to replace your pole?

[Paul Coleman]

Just had a fall wfp.
Nice £30 bungalow with a high dorma at the back, so I use my carbon gangster and use the short section for the rest.
A while back they had a pond put in front of one of the windows, the path is now maybe 3ft wide from the pond to the house. The pond is big. The window is about 7ft wide.
It's never been a problem although I've nearly lost my balance a few times, so I've always been careful where I stand.
Today one of the flags that overhangs the pond was loose and in I went!
flagstone went in the pond.
Hurt my back and side, think I've taken the nail off my big toe, but I haven't checked. Bashed my knee and banged my legs. Went with a right bang.
Worsed of all snapped my pole. 
The gardener was there and helped me back up.
Managed to finish off the clean last bit Is the office, so the gardener has been to tell the customers I've had a fall, probably already watched It back on cctv.
Paid me.
asked If I was ok then I was gone.

Now I'm not bothered to much about my injuries, but my pole is irreparable, that'll cost me 70quid if they are still on offer at cheshire fishing. And they don't do spare sections I've tried before. Otherwise its over hundred pound.

Customers not short of a few quid. 

So should I put a claim in because of the loose flag? 

A tough call but it could be argued that you could have used a longer light pole horizontally.
To my mind the really important, absolutely vital question is: Where can we find this on youtube?
Seriously though mate, I am pleased that your scrapes were only minor.  Could have been nasty if you knocked yourself out going into water.  I've got several jobs where the flagstones tip easily - though not near water.  One of them is at the top of a few concrete steps and it could be nasty.  Since using lighter poles, I tend to avoid that bit and clean with the pole horizontal over some bushes.

[the bfg]

no not at all.

you knew the flags were loose so it was your responsability to tell the customer you cant clean that window and give the customer your reasons.

its called risk assessment and even though you have pointed out the fact of the flags in your post you have totally gone against what a risk assessment is for by trying to clean the window.

also claiming for a diy pole wont get far with any claim as it has no safety spec.



sorry if you think 'm having a go at you but I'm just trying to point out what a counter claim would pick you up on



I know its of no consolation now but in a few weeks time you will see the funny side of it

[dazmond]

take it on the chin,buy a new pole and be careful in future!ive only been wfp for 4 weeks and have had 3-4 near misses of falling over while looking up!! ::)might go back to the ladders!much safer!!


you might lose more than this custys account if you try and make a claim.might put you in a bad light(money grabbing blood sucker for example!)


dazmond

[EZclean]

no not at all.

you knew the flags were loose so it was your responsability to tell the customer you cant clean that window and give the customer your reasons.

its called risk assessment and even though you have pointed out the fact of the flags in your post you have totally gone against what a risk assessment is for by trying to clean the window.

also claiming for a diy pole wont get far with any claim as it has no safety spec.



sorry if you think 'm having a go at you but I'm just trying to point out what a counter claim would pick you up on



I know its of no consolation now but in a few weeks time you will see the funny side of it

i didn't know the flag was loose till "splish splash i was taking a bath"

so if it was an SLX that would be ok to ask them to pay for a new one, or i broke my arm and couldn't work maybe

[martinsadie]

some tell customers they are better cleaners because they are insured and the cowboys arnt and will claim off them,so if you are a pro take it on the chin 

[Clive McDonald]

Don't know.

A savvy custie might want to buy you a pole, but this is a possible admission of liability.You will need claim off his insurance.

[Dean Taberner]

Dust yourself down and get on with it fella.

Dean

[EZclean]

fair enough, ive calmed down a bit now, i started the topic in the van still wet through and in pain..... 

maybe Polished would take it as a no win no fee 

[the bfg]

no not at all.

you knew the flags were loose so it was your responsability to tell the customer you cant clean that window and give the customer your reasons.

its called risk assessment and even though you have pointed out the fact of the flags in your post you have totally gone against what a risk assessment is for by trying to clean the window.

also claiming for a diy pole wont get far with any claim as it has no safety spec.



sorry if you think 'm having a go at you but I'm just trying to point out what a counter claim would pick you up on



I know its of no consolation now but in a few weeks time you will see the funny side of it

i didn't know the flag was loose till "splish splash i was taking a bath"

so if it was an SLX that would be ok to ask them to pay for a new one, or i broke my arm and couldn't work maybe

yes

[windowswashed]

Unless your accident results in a career change or seriously long term off work, it's not worth the financial risk of losing customer, reputation and good name. Put it down to experience and do a proper risk assesment and adhere to it

[Jack Wallace]

If it happened to me I think I would write them a polite letter explaining that due to the unsafe slabs I would no longer clean that particular window due to safety reasons.
I might also mention that I needed to replace my equipment at a cost of £xx. Then just leave it up to their conscience.
I don’t think you should consider claiming.
That’s the reason we pay so much for insurance these days, people claim for anything they can.

[sherco]

I would just bring the subject up next time you see the customer, i would not send them a letter as it looks like you would try and claim against them...If they value you they will pay for the damage to your equipment..if not forget about it.

[AuRavelling79]

If it happened to me I think I would write them a polite letter explaining that due to the unsafe slabs I would no longer clean that particular window due to safety reasons.
I might also mention that I needed to replace my equipment at a cost of £xx. Then just leave it up to their conscience.
I don’t think you should consider claiming.
That’s the reason we pay so much for insurance these days, people claim for anything they can.

That sounds excellent to me ..  but if you're serious - ask a solicitor not window cleaners.

However, not knowing the legal facts has never stopped me offering an opinion and if you're back at work within a day or two I'd take it on the chin and learn from it. (I.e. - should I have worked so close to the edge of a pond anyway?)

[trevor perry]

some daft sod of a window cleaner fell in my pond today killing three unsuspecting fish should i put in a claim against him for the cost of the dead fish and the trauma caused to there onlooking friends.

[Andy@w.c.s]

 

[Paul Coleman]

some daft sod of a window cleaner fell in my pond today killing three unsuspecting fish should i put in a claim against him for the cost of the dead fish and the trauma caused to there onlooking friends.

Could even add that he used a broken piece of tubing to spear the fish 

[awcs]

poop happens.    Love to see cctv footage