Posted By Lisa Hayes Hi, Having recently moved sectors I am finding the opinions being given here very useful. At the moment I am trying to get a clear picture of where the HA I work for should stand on window restrictors. Within the general needs group we have 2 restrictors on each window, if both are depressed (I don't mean feeling sad) the window can open fully enabling people to jump or climb out. I have had 2 occasions where customers have climbed out of windows - 1 in their room, 2 from the stairwells. One of these was with serious results. One of the advisers I work with is telling me that none of our windows regardless of the client group should be able to be opened to this degree as we have responsibility to not only our customers but also their visitors (the what if principle), the other is telling me that as it is general needs we cannot restrict their windows and that the corridors & stairwells must have fully opening windows for fire purposes . What the benefit is of a 8th floor window opening I don't know! With over 10,000 properties this has major financial implications as well as safety ones. Views, thoughts and suggestions please.

Posted By andrew morris Hi, Age old answer is risk assess. I would consider the likelyhood as the major factor in this. (forgive any faux-pas I make) If you have unaccompanied young children, in above ground level accomodation, then consideration should be given to restrictors. If you have people with learning difficulties or mental health issues, you should consider installing restrictors. However, I would suggest that "normal" adults should be able to realise the risk themselves. You also need to think about where your workplace ends. If these are self contained tenanted flats, there is no workplace (unless contractors visit, etc.) so H&S doesn't apply. However, if there is even an element of sheltered or assisted living,the building is a workplace. That probably doesn't help much but I thought I'd try

Posted By Brian Hagyard Lisa. Don't forget to include the height of the window sill in your assessment. While I would agree that adults should have the choice of opening their windows or not, there have been occasions where people have overbalanced and fallen through the open window if its lower than "waist height". Brian