Window cleaning hasn’t always been such a safe profession. Portable ladders, platforms, scaffolds, bosun chairs, and cradles are methods that have been used for years to gain access to high-up windows, after all, someone has to clean them! However, that could all be a thing of the past…
In recent years Clear Rain has adopted the use of waterfed pole systems that facilitate the cleaning of windows up to 60ft/20 metres high from the ground level. Avoiding the need to work at height is an obvious immediate attraction; however, there are various considerations to be taken into account.
Provision of uncluttered access to building facades. Designs of buildings to ensure reasonable access. Acceptance by everyone, including homeowners, that if they want clean windows they will have to accept that any windows above the ground floor will be left in a wet condition but will dry to an acceptable standard.
Waterfed poles are not suitable for all types of window access.
In order to comply with current legislation Clear Rain must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of any and All hazards in the workplace, and the likelihood of the risk of these hazards causing harm to persons or property. Then suitable provisions for preventing or controlling the risk should be put in place. If there are five or more persons employed by Clear Rain all risk assessments must be recorded.
The purpose of risk assessment is simply to identify particular risks on any job in order to take precautions to minimise them, typically these may include:
The design and manufacture of tank systems and equipment should comply with HASAWA 1974 and PUWER.
All Clear Rain vehicles are fitted with the most updated water systems and have been professionally installed which meet the requirements of:
Legionella Bacteria can be found in low levels in most water sources, the presence of a few bacteria is in itself unlikely to cause a problem, it is when they begin to multiply that the risk increases. Legionella requires nutrients to multiply; these can be provided by sediment scale, sludge and biofilms. These materials build up in the filters used to purify water, if not replaced at specified intervals filters may become a fertile breeding ground for legionella bacteria. Water temperature is a particularly important factor in the survival and multiplication of legionella, when the temperature of water rises above 20 degrees the bacteria begin to multiply.
Legionella will not normally multiply in cold water systems or even hot water systems when the water is heated at a point of use, or when the system is in regular use. However, Legionella will multiply when the right conditions exist:
Measures Clear Rain have taken to control the risk of legionella:
The release of legionella is also subject to the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
More than a third of over 3-day injuries reported in England, Scotland, and Wales each year arise from the manual handling of loads by hand or bodily force. As with standard risk assessment, Clear Rain will consider the risks of manual handling to the health and safety of its employees. Record the significant hazard and put in place measures to prevent or control the risks.
Keep your top on
Health risks from working in the sun…
A sunny day makes most of us feel good, but too much sunlight can harm the skin. It is not simply sudden exposure while on holiday that is harmful. Even a tan that has been built up gradually can be harmful to your health. A tan is a sign your skin has been damaged.
The problem is caused by the ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight. People whose jobs keep them outdoors for a long time, such as farm or building site workers, Market gardeners, Outdoor activity workers, and some public service workers could get more sun on their skin than is healthy for them.
Such people can be at a greater risk of skin cancer. All Clear Rain employees are provided with Sun creams, Caps and Sunglasses to help reduce the risk.
