Window Cleaners Critically Reviewed

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Safety - What's wrong? The antics of some window cleaners were followed up on, when cleaning the windows of the offices of the CSST, an organization dedicated to safety. On October 3, workers of the company Sunshine Window Cleaning appeared at 9, Rue Nicholson, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, To clean the exterior windows of the building, which houses the offices of the Commission of Health and Safety (CSST).

In the photographs taken when the window washers were at work, one can see clearly that no security perimeter had been drawn around the workplace and people walked near the ladder although it was footed (as required) by a worker on the ground. On one of the pictures, you can see a window washer also trying somehow to keep his balance while leaning forward to reach the window.

Verdict: Nothing illegal

CSST claims they were not informed when the workers were present. An inspector who was passing by in the morning observed the ways of the business and then found that everything was perfectly in order. "All the techniques were consistent." "The number of workers was sufficient and there were cones on the sidewalk to prevent people going through there," said Jacques Nadeau, spokesman for the CSST. He added that it is not impossible that the company has changed its ways since that day. "It's possible, but it would be very unfortunate if they hadn't." He added their work practices were "Not recommended."

Asked about this, Normand Payette, responsible for work at height for a property maintenance company for 38 years, believes that "it is not off-the-law, but it is certainly not advisable." "For buildings of two stories or more, we use a crane with a bucket. In this case, people passed under the ladder, it's really not safe, "says Payette.

The owner of the building, Shazad Khan, is currently outside the country and his son Nadeem who has responded on his behalf said "We were not aware of their ways, had we known, we would have done business with another company." "We can not let something like that happen, especially as the offices of the CSST are located in this building" he said.

The viewpoint of Sunshine Window Cleaning Company is "We ensure compliance with all safety regulations." "We know how to do our job and we have experience." "We've been in business for 35 years and there has never been an accident," said Georges Hersky, an employee.

Montreal Newspaper Slams Window Cleaners At Health & Safety HQ

The window cleaner had no harness or safety line to do the job, as "Le Soleil" thought he should.

The windows of the CSST cleaned without any health & safety: A scene both amusing and incomprehensible could be observed on Monday in downtown Valleyfield, where the window washers were busy cleaning the outside windows of the regional office of the CSST, in total violation of the rules of health and safety that are in force.

Many citizens have noted unsafe methods used by the firm Sunshine Window Cleaning.

The two company employees from Sunshine Window Cleaning, a company based in the West Island of Montreal, did their work accompanied with a long ladder near electrical lines, no harness, and without having erected a security boundary around the workplace.

The CSST sign on the building.

At some point, you could even see passersby flow past underneath where they were working at the intersection of Victoria and Nicholson. Workers were able to do their work for several hours without being bothered in any way by the staff of the CSST. However, the manual published by the CSST and entitled "How To Wash Windows Safely," clearly lays out rules to allow these workers to do their work safely.

On the one hand, the use of a ladder is recommended for work performed to a maximum of 40 feet in height; any worker who works at a height of more than 3 meters (10 feet) must also must wear protective equipment in the form of a harness, in addition, exercising great care when one is close to electrical lines.

The building in question on a busy intersection, houses the CSST, the OSHA equivalent in the USA or the HSE in the UK.

In addition, "when the working area of ​​the window cleaners is over a sidewalk, street or driveway, the window cleaning business or building owner must ensure public safety. The work area must be enclosed by barricades and appropriate signage. "

In fact, several people who witnessed the scene threw an incredulous look and expressed their amazement having to deal with the rather rudimentary working methods used by these window washers. One passerby commented, "I'm working on a construction site and I can tell you that the CSST inspectors are usually faster than that to tell us what to do on site," said a witness at the scene.

The place of work should be safe and offer safety to passersby.

The building owner has a responsibility. At last aware of this situation, the spokesman for the CSST, Danielle Girard, initially showed surprise, recalling that the building owner who hires a window cleaning firm also has a responsibility for health and safety. The building in question, which houses five commercial premises, is owned by the numbered company 9162-8537 Quebec Inc., whose head office is located in the borough of Verdun, Montreal.

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