Working as a window cleaner is a risky profession, whether you’re working at height or handling chemicals, window cleaners face a variety of hazards as part of the job and so health and safety measures must be taken to reduce the risk.
Most trades have their hazards, but window cleaners can face a unique set of circumstances including falls and slips, electrical hazards and even issues with the weather. Common hazards you should be aware of include:
Slips, Trips and Falls from Height – Reduce the risk of slips and trips by ensuring tools are kept safely out of the way where possible and always clear any spilt water, or place warning signs around the spillage. As a window cleaner, fall arrest equipment is crucial for working at height. This may vary but typically includes individually-fitted safety harnesses connected to energy-absorbing lanyards and anchor points. These should be regularly assessed for condition and maintained to ensure they are in good repair.
Electrical Hazards – Window cleaners work with water constantly which poses a risk when it comes to electrical devices, supplies and lines. Always remain at least 10 feet away from any electric sources and avoid using extension poles or ladders in close proximity to any direct supplies.
Weather Conditions – When cleaning windows outside, you run the risk of exposure to a wide range of weather conditions. Ensuring that appropriate care is taken, avoiding work in high-wind situations and wearing warm, protective clothing in cold weather.
Tools – The tools in use throughout window cleaning might seem harmless for the most part, however, this isn’t always the case. Never leave any tools unattended, wear safety glasses and gloves and ensure that you always keep them closed or covered when not in use.
Chemicals – The use of chemicals is common in window cleaning, with different solutions offering different benefits in different situations. Understanding how to appropriately handle them with the right PPE will help to reduce the number of accidents or illnesses caused.
Having the right PPE, such as fall arrest equipment, will ensure the safety of you and your employees. For PPE, you should ensure that you provide appropriate protection for the job you or your employees and conduct a thorough risk assessment to ensure that nobody is going to be at risk while you conduct your job.
Work & Wear Direct are a quality supplier of a large range of PPE for window cleaners including safety gloves, slip resistant safety boots and fall arrest equipment. Call us on 01702 553698 to find out more.
Back to blog
