UK Health & Safety Guidance For Window Cleaners

The Health and Safety Executive provide United Kingdom health and safety legislation for window cleaners to maintain the safety at work of all workers. Falls from height are still the primary cause of the highest number of work related fatalities. In the year 2005 to 2006 there were almost fifty fatalities and nearly three and a half thousand major injuries resulting from falls from height in the United Kingdom. Window cleaners cannot avoid working at height so must be trained to make good risk assessments, plan their work well and use the correct equipment.

Employers should ensure that all appropriate and reasonable steps are taken to ensure the safety of employees. This includes provision of training and equipment. It is in the interests of any business and its employees to ensure that health and safety regulations are observed well.

Training is essential for all employees and none should undertake a task where there is an obvious risk that they have not received sufficient training for. It is the responsibility of the employer to make sure that employees are aware of any risk which may arise from their work and to ensure they are properly trained to assess this risk and plan accordingly. Full training with regular refreshers and updates should be provided.

As with any job, it is important to carry out a risk assessment prior to any task and plan accordingly. When working in an area such as window cleaning employees should be taught to consider, firstly, to avoid working at height unless essential. Secondly, employees should be able to carry out an assessment of the working conditions which may effect the level of risk such as ground surfaces, weather, height to be accessed and so on and plan out the task to be carried out as safely as possible using appropriate equipment. Lastly, if the risk of fall cannot be completely removed, employees should be trained in how to minimise the effects of any fall which may occur.

Employers are responsible for the provision and maintenance of any necessary equipment. Regular inspection of any equipment should be performed to ensure it meets any Health and Safety legislation which applies. Employees must be trained in the safe use of any equipment and should be able to do basic safety checks before using any provided tools or equipment.

A little basic checking and planning is all a small business need to do to protect itself and its employees’ interests. Information and advise is readily available from the Health and Safety Executive, local councils and trade associations. Independent health and safety advisers can be found, who can offer advice on risk management, especially for larger companies and more complicated jobs. A larger business may employ a dedicated health and safety officer.

With a little information and advice, any window cleaning business can greatly reduce health and safety risks to its employees by considering United Kingdom health and safety legislation for window cleaners.

If you want to become a window cleaner or run a window cleaning service, you should find out all the details regarding the law and safety rules for window cleaners North London.