Russell duo leads 'clean' life due to work: Despite their family being spread across the United States, Brett and Rachelle Scott are part of a family business. Brett's brothers, one in Connecticut and one in southeastern Kansas, both have window cleaning businesses similar to his Crystal Clear Cleaning based in Hays and Russell. His parents also still help out with some of the smaller projects in the area. "My oldest brother, Kelly, lives up in Connecticut. He started getting into it there," Brett Scott said. "And that's how it started to trickle down to other members of the family." Now, Brett and Rachelle Scott clean windows on about 50 businesses at least every three months. They also do less frequent cleaning on other homes and businesses in Hays and Russell.
It's not always an easy job -- especially when Mother Nature has something to say about it. "I hate doing it in the winter time," Rachelle Scott said. "We bundle up, and we use special chemicals so they won't freeze and we get it done." Windy days also can prove tiresome. "You have to work faster because the water will dry on the windows faster, so you have to do more work," Rachelle Scott said. But being able to work together is the best motivator for both of the Scotts. "We don't have to deal with any crazy people. We just work together as husband and wife," Rachelle Scott said. The Scotts can be seen cleaning windows two or three days a week in Hays and Russell. The rest of their time is devoted to a Jehovah's Witnesses ministry. "This is how we make our living," Brett Scott said. "It supports our ministry."
The most difficult projects taken on by Crystal Clear Cleaning are Hays Chevrolet and Dillon's on Vine Street in Hays. The Hays Chevrolet building has the highest windows they have to reach. Meanwhile, Dillon's is the most involved. They even wash the outsides of the refrigerators and freezers inside the building. Crystal Clear Cleaning also occasionally cleans windows on newly-constructed buildings after the construction crews are done. Some of their residential projects can be half- or full-day affairs, depending on the size of the house. The Scotts work anywhere from six to 12 hours a day. "When we drive over here (to Hays), we try to get as much done as we can," Brett Scott said. Pictured above: Brett Scott, left, and his wife, Rachelle, owners of Crystal Clear Cleaning of Russell, clean the windows of Equity Bank, 2428 Vine Street.
Teenage fire victim's search for her hero: A hero window cleaner saved the life of a teenage girl who was trapped in a burning house. The Good Samaritan then walked away without even leaving his name. Freya Murphy, 18, said yesterday she desperately wanted to thank the man for his heroic act. Singer Miss Murphy was trapped in her bedroom on the first floor of her parent's historic home in South Street, Lewes, after a chip pan fire broke out at 1pm on Saturday. Miss Murphy said: "I opened my bedroom door and the house was filled with thick black smoke. "I couldn't breathe and it was burning my eyes. "I was terrified. "A fire had ripped through the kitchen of their house spreading from a chip pan she had accidentally left on a lit hob. Smoke had spread through the building, which was built alongside the River Ouse by the Lewes bargemaster in 1784. Miss Murphy said: "I ran to my bedroom window and lent out screaming for someone to help. "I couldn t turn around because the heat was so painful."
Her cries were heard by a window cleaner working at another house in the road who ran with his ladders and climbed up to carry her down. He was helped by one of Miss Murphy s neighbours who saw what was happening and dialled 999. Lewes Fire Station watch commander Martin Lusk, from: "The girl was lucky the window cleaner was there. "We don t know who he was. "He left when we arrived and didn t leave his name. Miss Murphy was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and treated for smoke inhalation. She was not seriously injured and spent the night in a hotel with her parents. As she returned to see the gutted kitchen yesterday, Miss Murphy said: "I'd like to say thank you so much to that man. He saved my life. I am so grateful." Do you know who the hero window cleaner was?
Slips, trips and falls are no joke - London injury statistics revealed: In London workplaces last year, 21 people died and more than 3,700 suffered serious injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall from height. These shocking statistics have prompted the launch of an awareness raising campaign from the Health & Safety Executive. In the capital, Westminster topped the statistics with 409 major injuries and a further two fatal injuries reported in 2007/08. Hillingdon followed with a total of 374 reported serious injury cases and a further two fatal injuries, both as a result of falls. Camden reported two fatalities from falls, and the third-highest number of major injuries, totalling 207, of which 170 were a result of a slip or trip. Hounslow had the fourth highest number of major injuries, totalling 205.
The second phase of the Shattered Lives campaign has been launched to highlight the devastating consequences of slips, trips and falls in the workplace and to encourage employers, in consultation with their employees, to take action. "People often view slips, trips and falls as trivial incidents, even comical, but they are no joke to those who suffer major injuries, a lifetime of disability, time off work and, in the worst cases, death," warns Marcia Davies, HSE Head of the Injury Reduction Programme. "We want to raise awareness of how these incidents can happen and how they can be easily avoided by taking common sense actions and precautions at little or no cost. If you spot a hazard in your workplace, deal with it - don't assume that somebody else will. 
"The lives of workers and their families are shattered by the serious consequences of these types of accidents. Simple measures introduced by businesses can make a positive difference to safety in the workplace." Fatalities and serious injuries arising from slips, trips and fall incidents cost British society an estimated £700 million last year. Breakdowns of the types of accidents, where they took place and how long they left the victims incapacitated is on the HSE website.
The campaign is targeted at seven sectors where there is a prevalence of such injuries: food retail, catering and hospitality, food and drink manufacturing, building and plant maintenance, healthcare, education and construction, although the risks can occur in any workplace.
To help businesses take preventive action the HSE launched STEP - an interactive learning package that provides practical guidance to help users tackle slips, trips and falls in their workplace. The tool is free and can be accessed online. For further information about slips, trips and falls go to the shattered lives campaign.
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