Like most services, Health and Safety is an important issue when it comes to window cleaning. It may well be your responsibility to ensure that contractors on your site are working safely and complying with the relevant guidelines. Responsibility will certainly lay with the directors.
More information about these guidelines is available from the Health and Safety Executive and specifically at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/guidance.htm. "Each year more than 40 workers die following a fall from height and more than 3,000 are seriously injured. Reducing this unnecessary injury toll is a priority and Shattered Lives is the HSE's latest campaign. Find out what happens when workers are put at risk and what you can do to stop falls from height in your workplace by visiting www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives" (c) HSE
"Every month over a thousand people suffer extremely serious injuries as a result of slips, trips or falls in the workplace. These shattering injuries can be avoided by sensible and proportionate management of the risks." (c) Health and Safety Executive. For more information go to: Shattered Lives: www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives Make sure that you check carefully the safety record and procedures of any contractor you intend to use. Your contractor should provide you with a copy of their comprehensive Health ... Safety Policy. This should be site specific to your requirements and not just a generic statement.
Cherry pickers / Hydraulic access platforms Definition: Wheeled-vehicle mounted hydraulic boom with a cage. Reason for use: Access from the ground up to thirty two metres. Requirements: Needs sufficient space around the building and ground area strong enough to carry the weight. The operator will need confirmation of stress loading on the ground areas to be operated from. There needs to be a relatively clear approach ie no trees or cars parked adjacent to the building. Relatively even or flat terrain is also necessary. There should be no overhead cables for telephone or electricity. Always demand proof of qualification by asking for copies of certification etc to keep for your own records.
Latchways, Definition: A metal rope railway system on the roof attached to the building with solid mounts (mostly found on buildings built since 2004). There are currently two types: 1) Constant loading system - enabling abseiling. 2) Sudden impact system - not designed for constant loading. Designed for people working on the roof area. Reason for use: To access windows above flat roofed areas. Requirements: Systems need to be profesionally fitted to buildings and carry current test certification. People using it need to be latchway trained and certified. - 30244
More information about these guidelines is available from the Health and Safety Executive and specifically at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/guidance.htm. "Each year more than 40 workers die following a fall from height and more than 3,000 are seriously injured. Reducing this unnecessary injury toll is a priority and Shattered Lives is the HSE's latest campaign. Find out what happens when workers are put at risk and what you can do to stop falls from height in your workplace by visiting www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives" (c) HSE
"Every month over a thousand people suffer extremely serious injuries as a result of slips, trips or falls in the workplace. These shattering injuries can be avoided by sensible and proportionate management of the risks." (c) Health and Safety Executive. For more information go to: Shattered Lives: www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives Make sure that you check carefully the safety record and procedures of any contractor you intend to use. Your contractor should provide you with a copy of their comprehensive Health ... Safety Policy. This should be site specific to your requirements and not just a generic statement.
Cherry pickers / Hydraulic access platforms Definition: Wheeled-vehicle mounted hydraulic boom with a cage. Reason for use: Access from the ground up to thirty two metres. Requirements: Needs sufficient space around the building and ground area strong enough to carry the weight. The operator will need confirmation of stress loading on the ground areas to be operated from. There needs to be a relatively clear approach ie no trees or cars parked adjacent to the building. Relatively even or flat terrain is also necessary. There should be no overhead cables for telephone or electricity. Always demand proof of qualification by asking for copies of certification etc to keep for your own records.
Latchways, Definition: A metal rope railway system on the roof attached to the building with solid mounts (mostly found on buildings built since 2004). There are currently two types: 1) Constant loading system - enabling abseiling. 2) Sudden impact system - not designed for constant loading. Designed for people working on the roof area. Reason for use: To access windows above flat roofed areas. Requirements: Systems need to be profesionally fitted to buildings and carry current test certification. People using it need to be latchway trained and certified. - 30244
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If you are responsible for purchasing all window cleaning Londonyou shouldlook at Marcus P Weeks good free guide called 'Everything you need to know about buying all window cleaner services' or visit the MPW website
