That’s the message from the Federation of Window Cleaners

Keeping windows clean can be a daunting and time-consuming task for building managers and the maintenance staff they manage. With window cleaning standards and health and safety improving, building managers understand the importance of employee training and safety.

Other issues when releasing staff for formal training, such as time, staff availability and budgetary constraints, can sometimes overshadow the importance of training. Dedicated to developing best practices in the cleaning industry, the FWC has been the professional Employers Trade Association for window cleaners for over 60 years and part of its aims are to:

For some time the water fed pole window cleaner had no choice but to make do with complete van mounted systems to produce pure water.

This wasn’t ideal as it meant that your entire earning power was tied up in that van. There was a lot at stake - what if the van was to break down, it was stolen or you had an accident? Refilling each evening was equally problematic. You needed a secure, accessible location for a good eight hours and the vehicle was out of action for that whole period. According to Window Cleaning Warehouse, those days are now over.

Water treatment specialist Aquafactors Direct (formerly Tucker Pole) has always considered legionella contamination to be highly unlikely in water fed pole mobile cold water systems, promoted by the company.

However, the subject has be highlighted by companies promoting hot water systems and this has heightened uncertainty and worries about this very serious disease.
Several requests have been received as to how it might be possible to safeguard against legionellosis. Aquafactors now has available a simple ultra violet (UV) sterilisation unit which can be mounted alongside existing mobile equipment and be linked into a vehicle’s 12 volt DC supply.

The UV device consists of an ultra violet lamp which is housed in an aluminium column through which the water, travelling to the pole, flows. The consistent light from the lamp eradiates the water which is sterilised with the UV rays. Ultra violet light is an excellent ‘bug killer’ and will eliminate bacteria, mould, algae and viruses as well as legionella.

Prices start at £181.80 plus vat and a full installation service is available. A comprehensive leaflet detailing the product as well as giving a background to Legionella and how the bacteria can evolve and be transmitted, is available on request by telephoning 01256 844046.

Coventry’s Ricoh Arena was the place to be for carpet and window cleaners on 27 and 28 March this year as Quartz Publishing & Exhibitions Ltd staged Carpex Windex 2008 – the first time it has been located at this Midland’s venue.

The venue, which is part of Coventry City’s football ground and which includes a hotel, restaurants and function rooms, was superb. Everyone involved in the show – organiser, exhibitor and visitor – was extremely impressed with the venue itself and, equally, its location. Richard Johnson of Cleanfix said: "This was a thoroughly enjoyable show at which to exhibit. The venue was superb, and the very high quality of visitors made it extremely worthwhile. In 30 years of attending and exhibiting at trade shows I would say that this has been the most enjoyable and rewarding yet."

Professional window cleaners often have many health and safety considerations in order to perform their job. Cleaning at height is an integral part of the window cleaning profession and is a process that, unless proper precautions have been taken, carries a large amount of risk.

In fact, recent figures show that in Great Britain alone, up to seven window cleaners are killed each year by accidents occurring while they are at work. In addition, 20-30 more suffer major injuries caused by falls, with countless others suffering less serious injuries that result in loss of income through being unable to work.