Posted By David Brede In order to guide architects and designers from a Planning Supervisor perspective can anyone advise me of any standards that exist for washing windows using water fed poles. I see that there are adverts for poles with reach of 60' but is there a maximum or other recommended parameters for this kind of work or where it is preferable to use MEWPs or other means of access. Thanks

Posted By Frank Hallett Hi David Whilst I totally agree that all reasonable efforts should be taken to remove the need to work at height; you should also be aware that the devices that you mention will inevitably introduce a set of major manual handling issues that may actually be worse than the perceived risks of working at height. Thorough MH RA's will be essential if you intend to provide situations where the operator is working a pole application & cleaning system as the potential for back, shoulder & neck injury is high. It would be preferable to design out the need for both WaH & MH [reaching/stressing backs/overbalancing etc with pole systems] by utilising one of the many proprietary systems that bring the external surface inboard of the building line without either of the 2 issues raised being present. Frank Hallett

Posted By David Brede Thanks for the responses guys. The developers are seriously looking at the eyebolt points so this was because they did not want to put up scaffolding to clean windows. The solution most likely to be chosen is a small mewp that can go through standard doors so can be used inside and out.