When I first started, I was taught to use methods like this as standard acceptable practice.
All the window cleaning firms did it the same way, it was priced as low as possible so if they didn't they just didn't get the work. I'm not saying for one moment that the old methods were preferable but everything has to be considered on its merits.
In the five years or so that I worked in London I only ever heard of one fatal fall, and that was a brash youngster who wouldn't listen.
Consider that this man has a good solid hand hold on the balcony rail, and that he has more than ample space for his feet, is he in any more danger than he would be standing on a ladder?
Don't just look and think "OMG what a stupid thing to do" think about what I've said above.
It's easy to jump to conclusion without thinking about it. Regardless of how dangerous it looks, you - I - or anybody with experience and training could traverse balconies like this all day long without falling. What makes it look more dangerous is that there is nothing underneath him, if he were on a ladder then there would be the ladder under him, but if he slipped off the ladder, that wouldn't make any difference - he would still fall.
Having said that, this chap seems to have a death wish the way he swings both feet at once and relies on getting a proper foothold every time. If he moved one foot at a time (as you would on a ladder) then he fulfills the requirement of "three points of contact" as ladder good practice dictates.
What I'm leading up to is my objection to blanket statements such as "climbing a ladder to access a balcony is dangerous and shouldn't be done".
That, in my opinion, is as bad as the H&S's belief that proper window cleaners ladders (which were devised specifically for the job by people who knew what they were doing) are unsafe and shouldn't be used.
If a ladder can be set safely in a way that prevents it from slipping, and extended beyond the point of contact to provide safe handhold there is no reason whatsoever why a trained and competent person should not use it to gain access onto a balcony.
And there's the critical point: I am firmly convinced that H&S approach ladder safety from the layman's reaction: "B.... H.... - that looks dangerous" and immediately set about proving that their first impressions must be right.
The consequence of that is that all ladder training is geared to preventing what they perceive to be the obvious hazards, and in doing so succeed in outlawing perfectly sensible and safe practises simply because they "seem" to be dangerous.
Ask any first time ladder user if they feel safe at the top of the ladder. The inevitable response "no".
Does that mean that no-one is safe up a ladder?
I'm all for safe practice. I don't want an accident any more than the next man, but I reserve the right to apply my years of experience and put my trust in my own expertise and common sense and not blindly follow the directives of a department more concerned with box ticking than real practicalities.
And in case you're wondering, I voted "not acceptable"
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