[wcs.]

.



   

[L.J.Thorpe]

i think i will be banned if i type what i think 

[poleman]

Just done the IOSH course yesterday.

Found out HSE are looking very closely at wfp, from the ground up. The reason being the negatives associated with it. Far out way those, against use of ladders, they prefer wfp. (Now they have currently dealt with working at height regs 2005) There are going to regulate wfp.

Few points were

•   No kite mark standard on equipment. Which creates legal problems.

•   Appropriate transport to be used.

•   Manufacture of tanks and there fitment in vehicle.

•   Wfp operating height's, 1 man use, 2 men etc.

The list went on, even looking at the wet floor after a job has been done!

They are definitely looking to regulate, but said the HSE moves slowly.

The impression they gave, is that they definitely did not like window cleaners putting themselves at risk and members of the public with equipment that has not passed British standards.


This news came to me as no real surprise overall. But there were few surprising comments. I can not remember every thing that was said, but you get the idea.

What do think?

Ewan .         



   

Was the course done by Ionic Systems!!!!

Andy

[Pj]

We'll need a man with a red flag in front of us soon just so that we can walk safely down the street without tripping or bumping into someone else.
But that could be dangerous because we may not see the oncoming persons safe guide with his red flag so we better have someone with an amber flag in front of the man with the red flag with caution signs too.

Da worlds gorn maaad

[Wayne Thomas]

Would imagine Ionics would be rubbing their hands with glee at the profits they'll be marking up on their OTT, whoops, I mean Ionics products once they add the BS kitemark. Their employee salesmen do very well on commission.

[Mr Bungalow]

Yes, I agree.

I did the IOSH course a while ago now and I think that it will get rid of the stetson wearing cowboys out there at the moment or at the very least get them worried.

LOL.

[tacky]

next they ll b trying to ban ladders .

[*foxman]

Poles over 45ft will defo be banned in the near future as they are in other Euro Countries. Thats the start.
But as for tanks in a van, fitting, etc no way

[poleman]

think you will find it just might be

http://www.apwc.info/apwc-and-window-cleaning-resources/apwc-and-window-cleaning-industry-news/jan2008/

http://www.whatvan.co.uk/news_s.asp?id=5092

Andy

[*foxman]

Cheers for that Andy. Interesting.

I can see bulkheads being enforced more than anything. It looks like it will be years before anything concrete is down.

[steve m]

thats all fine, but banning 45 foot poles?, dunno. Kite marks on everythings fine but will it be made retrospective ? doubt it. And as for the likes of ionics, it wont be them but the people that manufacture the kit. When I see a kite mark on a fishing pole I'll start to worry as I've been fishing for 35 years now and still waiting to see one

[HIGH LEVEL WINDOW CLEANERS (scrimmy)]

ok here it comes..........1st they said that unfooted ladders are too dangerous to use while cleaning high windows and where possible an alternative method should be employed.......then over the last 4/5 years a glut of window cleaners(glut? yeah that means you lol).....go out and spend half a years wages on new systems and vans to comply with the HSE and to do the job safer and appear more professional etc.......and it seems up to now to have the desired effect of less cowboys out there and less accidents from high level falls etc........now the HSE want us to squeeze the guys out there who have spent countless bucks buying and adding to their systems by demanding we buy 1 suppliers products......now i know it didnt state that in the link, but it might as well just say it......i wonder who will go back to ladders if they cant afford to buy ionics products.......i cant afford their over priced tat........but if its made law then i shall go back to admin/sales.....rubbish money compared to windows but no outlay.......rant over.

[DASERVICES]

If you did this course with BWCA then I would ignore that statement. The course I went on supposedly all companies would be banned using ladders and would have to use wfp!!!!

3 yrs on still nothing.

If it was run by HSE then they should be concentrating on making the rules on ladders clear and enforcing it, that will take about 10 yrs!!!

[Nathanael Jones]

Why ban poles over 45 foot??? Surely a 60' SL2 or Emporium pole is easier to handle than many of the heavyweight  45 footers out there,... so a simple height restriction is just silly IMO.

[*foxman]

Why ban poles over 45 foot??? Surely a 60' SL2 or Emporium pole is easier to handle than many of the heavyweight  45 footers out there,... so a simple height restriction is just silly IMO.

It's already happened in Europe, only a matter of time before it comes into force over here.

[TennetClean]

surely accident figures will be the main thing they deal with.  I dont know of anyone who has been injured with WFP but pletny who have fallen off ladders

Bulkheads LOL.  Bulkhead wont do diddly squat except help keep the cab warm.  Is it gonna stop a thousand kilos of machine travelling at high speed? highly doubt it.  They arent structural, they are just pop riveted in place.

60 footers though, now that I could understand.  They arent easy to use I have seem some blokes nearly drop one on a car.  I'd not be suprised if they get some unwanted attention.

[Gerry Styles]

Much of that is probably covered in existing legislation

Management of Health and Safety - Risk Assessment/Safe Systems of Work
Manual Handling Regulations - lifting and carrying of wfp poles, hoses,etc

Incorrect use and fitting of tanks, may be in vehichle construction and use?

Its those out there with the stetsons that are causing us the problems.  Who in thier right mind would drive a van with a 500ltr tand full of water tied down with canvass straps???..................

[poleman]

If you did this course with BWCA then I would ignore that statement. The course I went on supposedly all companies would be banned using ladders and would have to use wfp!!!!

3 yrs on still nothing.

If it was run by HSE then they should be concentrating on making the rules on ladders clear and enforcing it, that will take about 10 yrs!!!

I total agree, and I bet he will try and get every WFP system to be crash tested, which is only his systems (reach & wash) he tried it on at the beginning of APWC before I kicked him out

Andy 

[williamx]

Carrying an unsafe load is already covered in law and you can be prosecuted by the police if they stop you and you have not securely fitted your tank.

Most vans have attachments that you can strap down loads that might move and cause injuries, the haulage industry have been using them for years with no problems, and they can carry more than twice what a wfp cleaners carries.

As for waiting for the hse to bring out new guidelines and start enforcing them, there is no problem for all of us, but my grandson who is to be born in April might need to change over to a system that complies with the law by the time he gets married.

[Londoner]

It probably should be regulated but like all these things NOBODY enforces the regulations.

Its illegal to smoke in a van, does anyone enforce it - NO

Ladders are supposed to be all but banned, does anyone enforce it - NO

etc
etc
etc

Hot air merchants, all talk and no do.