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Posted By BarryS
This may sound stupid - does anyone else check to see if window cleaners have insurance / proof of competence before they work on your premises?
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Posted By Karen Todd
Yes!
An ex-employee set up his own cleaning firm, and we've had him in to do some work. His insurance was checked and he had made a fair attempt at putting together a H&S policy statement. When he was asked for risk assessments (before the job) he was like, "Er..." so I gave him some of the HSE leaflets (Stating Your Business, Risk Assessment Simplified) and away he went and produced a cracking set of risk assessments.
I did have another agenda though. I was then able to produce the risk assessments from the 1-man-band window cleaner and use them as a lever to get risk assessments etc off other contractors.
He is a member of the National Federation of Master Window & General cleaners:
http://www.nfmwgc.com
and I think he got his insurance for a very reasonable rate for being a member.
Regards,
Karen
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Posted By John-Mark
It's not stupid. Window Cleaners are classed as Contractors so you should ask him for method statements, risk assessments etc, in line with the CDM Regs and MHSAW 99 Reg 12.
JM
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Posted By Laurie
Barry
You're not stupid - I first posted this in 2002
" As I sit here in my sixth floor office my windows are being cleaned by a team who are using abseiling kit rather than a cradle.
Now I've seen their policy statement, and checked out the risk assessment, and done all the good things I should do, so why do I think I need a good stiff brandy?
This is not a stress free day!"
Laurie
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Posted By Stuart Nagle
Laurie.
Chill.... Abseil techniques to access high places is common in a lot of industries nowadays, however, it needs to be done right by trained and competent persons.
Access by abseil techniques are the preferred option for many, as it is often quicker and easier than, for example, using a window cleaning cradle that too is subject to a lot of hassle.
In addition to the usual/normal risk assessments and SMS's etc you will need to check training and experience, ropes and lines, karabinas etc (classed as man-riding lifting equipment) and of course points of anchorage and safety lines, emergency procedures and rescue etc. this applies to those doing the abseiling and those supervising, and of course, as mentioned above, the paperwork (PL insurance and EL Insurance) etc.
In my experience abseiling can be stressfull for those watching - especially if you are unfamiliar with the techniques employed or have a distict fear of heights, seeing a person apparently wafting past your high storey window on a bit of string is not, at first sight, inspiring, however it is and continues to be an efficient tried and trusted method of reaching the parts other methods cannot reach!!
Fear naught and proceed with caution and dilligence...you never know... you might want to give it a try yourself!!
Stuart
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Posted By Ken Taylor
The ropes, lines, harnesses, etc will be down to the abseiling contractor to check but, presumably, the anchorages will be down to the client - so make sure that they are under an inspection and certification scheme by a 'competent person' with good insurance.
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