Window Cleaning Practice: Safety in Abseiling

Window cleaning especially in high storey buildings can be quite tricky. Many of the reputable window cleaning company make sure to train their cleaners and equip them with the right equipments to perform their job efficiently and safely. If your company is thinking of hiring window cleaners for your corporate building, it is wise to make inquiries on their safety policies. Although, you are only one of the clients, it is your responsibility to make your work area a safe place not only for your employees but also for your service providers like your window cleaners.

Most window cleaning companies should practice a healthy and safe work practice wherever they may be assigned so as to avoid accidents and injuries. There is a significant number of window cleaners falling and tripping, resulting to injuries and even death. Because of this, safety measures should be well in place to safeguard the health and lives of the window cleaners. Every contractor should be aware and follow guidelines on safety practices while at work.

The window cleaning industry is an integral part of our modern life. Our windows for our homes and business simply cannot remain clean and sparkling without the valuable service of professional window cleaners. The need to practice occupational health and safety is the only clear solution in making their service available to its many clients.

For high storey buildings, window cleaners practice abseiling to get to those windows that are out of the way or beyond the reach of water-fed poles. Abseiling is basically having a roof access that window cleaners can work on as they go downwards. The requirement to this practice is having a flat roof or a fixed structure where the abseiling cleaners can anchor themselves on. It is important that before abseiling, the strength of the loading is tested prior to the use of the fittings, which are already on hand. These fittings need to have a certificate of conformity, which is good for about six months. Without which, a free standing fitting may be used. Having this option may require a more technical approach because the said structure is heavy and need to be carried to the top by using a lift.

There are a number of legal requirements in abseiling, which is rooted mainly on making the practice safe not only for the cleaners, but also including the persons down below who may be injured by falling equipments.  There are certain number of person required depending on the area where the contractor is making business. The common practice is for abseilers to be in groups of not less than two and not more than four. Moreover, the cleaners themselves need to have the training and qualifications to perform this particularly risky service.

As clients, make sure to also ask copies of the certifications and documents of compliance by your window cleaning company. The practice of safety in the workplace should be a mutual concern since the benefits of the service are also mutually being enjoyed.