Health and Safety

The HSE and the Cleaning Industry are working in partnership through the Cleaning Industry Liaison Forum (CILF). The Forum comprises representatives from trade associations, trade unions and key industry stakeholders who have agreed a priority plan. HSE has a specific section of its website specifically for the cleaning industry. Click Here for more information

NEW Window Cleaners Safety Guidance Use of window and gutter cleaning equipment near overhead powerlines. Click Here.

Managing for Health & Safety (HSG65) revised edition is one of HSE’s most popular guides mainly for leaders, owners, and line managers. It will particularly help those who need to put in place or oversee their organisation’s health and safety arrangements. See more or you can download a free copy at the HSE’s website.

The health and safety law poster. Employers are required, by law, to either display the HSE-approved law poster or to provide each of their workers with the equivalent leaflet – available as a free download from the HSE’s website.

HSE’s new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI)
Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.

The many businesses that comply with their legal obligations will continue to pay nothing. How much it costs and other related guidance for businesses and organisations is available on HSE’s website.

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

Only responsible persons’ including employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises should submit reports under RIDDOR
Online Reporting of accidents and incidents at work Click Here

Face-2-Face “Cleaning Windows Safely” IOSH Accredited Training

This one-day IOSH Course covers both the use of Water fed poles and portable ladders. Written by window cleaners for window cleaners. No nonsense – hands on practical and theory course with an IOSH accreditation at the end. Giving you an industry recognised qualification.

Member price: £175.00 plus vat – Non-Member price £215.00 plus vat. Click Here to see more information on dates and venues or, to make a booking.

“Risk Assessment” – IOSH Accredited Training for Window Cleaners

This one-day Face-Face Health and Safety training course is aimed at everyone within the window and specialist cleaning industry, specifically for self-employed, employees, supervisors, managers, and safety officers. Click Here for more information or to make a booking.

“How To Do It and Look After Your Body”

The HSE Window Cleaners Best Practice Guide for WaterFed Poles Click Here for a copy of the full guide.

Safe use of portable ladders & water-fed Pole Systems training DVD

This two-in-one Safety training video shows the importance of a thorough inspection of the site and of the equipment. Moreover, the importance of safety in securing the ladder and its correct use, with an emphasis on the potential consequences.

Traditionally, window cleaners have used all manner of ladders and platforms to reach the higher windows, but the introduction of new technology and the Working At Height Regulations in 2005 Regulations in 2005 have shown us that if it’s not essential to work at height…then don’t!

Using telescopic poles might seem like the ultimate solution, but they’re not without their dangers. In this short video, we’ll aim to show you how to get the most out of your water-fed pole system and how to keep you and the people around you safe. Members can view the video free at the member login area?? or buy a copy from the Federation for £5.00 – Non-Members price is £15.00 Click Here to place your order, or call: 0161 432 8754 Click Here for a preview of the DVD.

What is a Health and Safety Policy?

Employers with five or more employees should have a written health and safety policy and risk assessment. This safety policy sets out your general approach and objectives (your vision) and the arrangements you have put in place for managing health and safety in your business. It is a unique document that says who does what, when and how. It shows your staff, and others, your commitment to health and safety and simply describes how you will implement and monitor your health and safety controls. Click Here for an Example Health and Safety Policy

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. Click Here for a Risk Assessment Template Further information and advice on risk assessment can be found on the HSE website

Safety in Window Cleaning Using Waterfed Pole Systems and Portable Ladders

In recent years many window cleaners have adopted the use of waterfed pole systems that facilitate the cleaning of windows up to 60ft/20 metres high from ground level. Avoiding the need to work at height is an obvious immediate attraction; however, there are various considerations to be considered. Click Here For full guidance on this.

BE SAFETY AWARE!! Especially when using a long water-fed pole close to an overhead power line. Check for overhead power cables as part of your daily RAMS before extending a water-fed pole wherever you are. See more here.

See more on avoiding danger from overhead powerlines in the HSE GS6 guidance document here.

Big brother star urges you to ‘LOOK OUT, LOOK UP’ while working, particularly using Water Fed and extension poles near overhead power lines.

Big Brother star urges you to ‘look out, look up’ at the weekend and on Bank Holidays – Energy Networks Association (ENA) The video is on our YouTube channel too.

Suspended Access Equipment – Cradles etc – safe use of cradles for window cleaning work. Click Here for more information

Ladder Exchange

Don’t let a dodgy ladder shatter your life. Falls from height continue to be the main cause of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. Around a third of all ‘falls from height’ accidents are, as a result of a fall from a ladder.

The Ladder Exchange campaign 2012 is a scheme which allows “dodgy” ladders to trade them in for new ones at a discount. 2012 is the Exchange’s sixth year and runs from 1st September until 30th November, during which time any ladder user can trade their ladder in at a local ladder exchange trade-in partner. Further details on the scheme can be found here.