Window Cleaning On The Go

Kevin James with his quad bike & water fed pole set-up: Kevin of "Life on a Ledge window cleaning" operates on the Somerset/Wiltshire border servicing the main towns: Bath, Bradford on Avon, Frome, Westbury and Trowbridge. As you can imagine, he gets a little peckish whilst working & has made his hot wfp unit not only have the capacity to heat his water, but also to cook his breakfast. As always, click the pictures to enlarge. More info' on Kevin's wfp set-up can be seen here.

James Sun, a finalist of Donald Trump's reality show "The Apprentice," follows in the footsteps of his former mentor with his new program "War on Business." The Korean-American entrepreneur was one of four finalists to compete for an opportunity to run one of Trump's many companies during Season 6 of the NBC reality program. Though Sun did not win, he did go on to become the host of his own business-savvy show. Set to air in Singapore tomorrow, "War on Business" draws from the principles of Chinese general Sun Tzu's famed "The Art of War." Sun morphs into a business expert who traverses the world to instill the wisdom of Sun Tzu's strategies and tips upon participating entrepreneurs. The show bears some striking similarities to "The Apprentice." Project challenges and "The War Room," in lieu of Trump's fierce boardroom, are featured in the upcoming program. No one, however, will be "fired" in the show.
Instead, Sun provides guidance to a series of entrepreneurs, honing their skills and helping them develop their businesses. According to his official website, Sun first stepped into the realm of business at the tender age of 11, where he persuaded window cleaning companies to let him handle their publicity, advertising their services door-to-door. According to a press release, BBC Worldwide is producing and distributing "War on Business" and plans to distribute the show in Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Thailand, the Philippines, India and other markets.

The search for the son of a Bountiful newspaper man has been given new life as his picture begins to circulate on half-gallon cartons of milk sold in Utah and southern Nevada. "We're totally struggling where to go. We're hoping with the milk cartons we will get more people looking," said Rolf Koecher, father of 30-year-old St. George resident Steven Koecher, who went missing Dec. 13 in an upscale Henderson, Nev., neighborhood. Steven Koecher, formerly employed with the Salt Lake Tribune, moved to St. George last spring to find a job. "He was frustrated that he was unable to find a full-time job," said Rolf Koecher, adding his son had found a part-time marketing job for a window-washing and home service business. Rolf Koecher said his son has a degree in communication from the University of Utah.

New campaign to combat rogue window washers in Linlithgow: Trusting home-owners could be unwittingly inviting convicted burglars to peer into their homes. Now a major awareness campaign is being launched in Linlithgow to ensure your window cleaner's shammy isn't hiding a shady character. Ian Geddes, a licensed local window cleaner who raised the issue with community councillors, claims there are about six licensed workmen in the town – but about 16 operating illegally. And without licence checks, you have no idea who you are letting on to your property. He said: "Someone could come straight out of Saughton Prison, spend £200 buying a ladder and sponges and set themselves up in business." By law all window cleaning firms and their staff must be licensed. All should carry photographic ID, showing they've had their records checked and have full public liability insurance.

Lucky escape as pane of glass falls from Southend tower block: A man narrowly avoided falling out of a Southend tower block window after a pane of glass fell through. He had been washing the window of his flat, in Quantock, Chichester Road, when it fell 13 floors and smashed on the ground. Luckily the stool the man was standing on fell backwards and he avoided injury.

Wantage man missing: Police are asking the public to help them trace a self-employed window cleaner who has been missing from his home for the past five days. Alexander Wileman, 33, was last seen leaving his home on Albermarle Drive, Wantage, on Wednesday to go to work. He was driving a white Citroen van at the time, with 'Red Star Window Cleaning' written on the sides. Mr Wileman is described as white, 6ft tall, of a medium build and he has cropped black hair. Police have described Mr Wileman as a vulnerable person. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Mayoral candidate Don Marsh plans to revise discrimination law: This is the first segment of the Face in the Race series, which will feature the five candidates for Gainesville’s mayor seat. When Don Marsh moved to Gainesville, he baled hay for $25 a day and donated plasma twice a week for extra cash. That was nearly 30 years ago. Now Marsh, owner of a window-cleaning business, has a new challenge—running for Gainesville mayor. Marsh runs against Craig Lowe, Richard Selwach, Monica Leadon Cooper and Ozzy Angulo for the office in City Hall. “We all are underdogs to apathy,” said Marsh, who believes he will win if 20 to 25 percent of voters head to the polls on March 16. He also plans to revise the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance, which amends Chapter 8 of the city Code of Ordinances to include protection from gender discrimination. The ordinance allows citizens to use bathrooms that suit their gender identity, defined as “an inner sense of being a specific gender” as opposed to biological sex. Marsh believes the ordinance is too broad and could open the door to sexual predators taking advantage of the provision.

Pajaro Valley schools scrape by with fewer workers: Lead custodian Bobby Salazar remembers when Aptos High School classrooms were mopped every day, when dusting and window washing and raking around buildings were part of the regular routine. But the campus custodial staff has dwindled over the years. Layoffs last year claimed two from the crew and there's a possibility of more job losses at the end of the year after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of trustees cut maintenance $450,000 as part of a $5.5 million budget reduction package.

BOSTON - Nine million dollars was given to Harvard University to research and assemble robotic bees. No jobs were created with the stimulus money. "If that's going to put people back to work, I need to know how," said state Sen. Richard Tisei. "That's a perfect example of wasted money. People are catching on to what this was all about." One billion dollars has gone to schools across the state to make sure teachers aren't laid off and services aren't cut. But some of the expenditures are unusual. They include $12,000 for pest control in the Bridgewater schools, $25,000 for vertical blinds in Agawam schools and in Edgartown schools, $13,000 was spent on window cleaning.

Bedford, Mass. — The School Committee appeared last Thursday night at a meeting of the Finance Committee (FinComm) to present the fiscal year 2011 (FY11) budget it plans to recommend to the town in March at the Annual Town Meeting. To achieve the 3.2 percent increase, the schools cut funding for library books, exterior window washing at the high school, summer custodian jobs, special education tutoring, supplies, teaching and office staff, planned replacements of computer equipment, and more, achieving many reductions through creative reorganization and rethinking of programs. At the same time, the recommended budget included some additions, notably a behaviorist at Davis and Lane Schools and an instructional coach for math at Lane School.

Tony Evans of "A New View window cleaning" gives us a brand new episode in the new series entitled "Window Cleaning & Restoration." Tony can be followed on Facebook, Twitter & don't forget to check out his blog.

Craig Aldrich shows some glass protection products.

And finally.....

Huf Haus - The Future is Here & it Likes Glass

The house that Huf built: German building firm Huf Haus are bringing their cutting-edge, energy-efficient building service to Ireland this year, and they have a lot to teach us about green living. Renowned German building firm Huf Haus will be launching its cutting-edge, energy-efficient building service in the Emerald Isle later this year and is aiming to teach Irish builders a thing or two about what being truly 'green' really means. The Iredales were "flabbergasted" by the end result, while British architectural guru Kevin McCloud was equally impressed. "If Mercedes built houses, this is how they would do it," he declared in genuine awe at the German construction engineering produced during the course of his show. The family-owned firm Huf Haus lays claim to being the European market leader in contemporary post-and-beam architecture. It has an annual turnover of €100m and promises to deliver a systems-building breakthrough in this country.

"The green (r)evolution home is our major contribution to environmental and climate protection," says Georg Huf, president of Huf Haus. "We look forward to launching our services in Ireland, which we know is very focused on the issues of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability." Established in 1912, Huf Haus has developed its range of luxury timber frame houses with the express intent of bringing environmental sustainability to a new level. The company produces only about 150 houses each year, of which about 40pc are exported worldwide. In the 70s, Huf Haus significantly redefined its post-and-beam constructions, using a reduced-design language, large areas of glass and open-plan floor layouts. The timeless glass and timber buildings, with clear modernist lines, are unmistakable features of all Huf houses, which are constantly enhanced in line with latest technical and design trends.

The firm is targeting six to eight Irish clients in its first year here. This might appear modest -- but attaining this goal will prove challenging in the current economic climate. German timber frame firm DaVinci found the Irish market a tough nut to crack and has closed its marketing operation here. Huf houses cost around €2,000 to €2,500 per square metre - roughly two or three times the level a quality system-built home usually costs in this country. But don't think pre-fab when you think Huf Haus - think 'wow factor' contemporary design, hi-tech methodology and 'quick build' par excellence. Still, it is possible to buy a quality timber-frame system-built product in this country at significantly lower prices.

The Iredales were delighted with their Huf Haus purchase. However, the major fly in the ointment for them was the exchange rate factor. They failed to build this element into their calculations. Irish buyers will have no such worries, though they will have to factor in extras such as regular window cleaning at as much as €500 a pop if the German 'glass house' option takes off here. From pouring foundations and erecting the structure, it generally takes around three or four months before occupation. A trip to Huf HQ will also be required to hammer out personal specifications and fixture/fit-out details. "Huf houses are definitely not cheap," says the very appropriately named Huf marketing chief Michael Baumann (his surname is German for builder). "They cost quite a lot, but are not expensive at the end of the day. "They are the Rolls Royce of homebuilding -- and what everyone aspires to."

Prospective buyers can view a range of Huf houses at a show village near Frankfurt -- all decked out in the latest contemporary interior designs, at build prices ranging from around €500,000 to €2.5m plus. The most expensive Huf home yet - at around €10m - has been built for a private client in Switzerland. Huf houses are 'third generation' in every sense. Founded by Johann Huf in 1912 as a carpentry business, the firm was expanded by his son Franz, completing such projects as the German and Arabian Pavilions at the World Expo in Brussels. The company then broke further ground by shifting to the production of pre-manufactured wood panels and turn-key construction. Currently headed by Georg and Thomas Huf, the firm has now embraced the new 'eco-era' with a vengeance. Its major innovation lies in the fact that all constructive timber parts have been provided with a high efficiency insulation layer, eliminating the usual thermal bridges.

"We have remained true to our architectural visions while managing to retain the classic design which our many customers appreciate so much," says Thomas Huf, chief architect and co-president of Huf Haus. All glass panels are triple-glazed panels and with a rock bottom low u-factor. This is accompanied by the most advanced energy services, utilising heat pumps and self-regulating measurement/control technology. Huf Haus can provide individual solutions for all types of regenerative energy systems, including controlled ventilation, solar-thermal and photovoltaic systems. The firm even supplies 90pc or more of all fixtures and fittings, down to door handles, light switches and integrated piping. Huf houses meet stringent new energy savings regulations in Germany, stipulating a 60pc reduction in energy requirements for new homes by 2012. It remains to be seen, however, how the German specifications are received by the notoriously conservative Irish planning authority, and our national standards authority.

The preponderance of glass in the German design could, for instance, prove a stumbling block. The firm has, however, already overcome such obstacles and successfully completed a major nursing home in Co Sligo. Maggie Moran is the Irish representative for Huf Haus, and she is currently helping two prospective customers to plan and design new homes in Wicklow and Sligo. The Irish agent is currently negotiating the requisite certifications from the appropriate authorities. Huf Haus's partner architect in Ireland is Dublin-based Denis Byrne Architects. This award-winning practice recently won the international architecture competition for the new Bord Gais networks national distribution control building. "The impending launch of Huf Haus in Ireland will provide a compelling opportunity for new homebuilders to choose an architecturally advanced building with built-in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability," Ms Moran commented.

Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Window Cleaning Industry.

Jeff Brown of the Water Fed Pole Academy was asked nearly three years ago to fill out a questionnaire regarding the muscular aches and pains experienced whilst working as a window cleaner. The questionnaire was part of a study sponsored by the now ceased Association of Professional Window Cleaners in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth. That study is now completed, attached is a summary of its finding to you. Note that WFP is substituted with LPWC, anyone who would like a copy of this report in pdf form can email me.
The results will allow the industry to improve this aspect of well-being among window cleaning operatives. This report was provided by Wayne Voller, MSc PgCOSH CMIOSH CSHP - Safety Consultant.

Musculoskeletal disorders among window cleaners using both traditional and long pole window cleaning (LPWC) systems:

During 2007/2008 a study was started to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among operators in the window cleaning industry. This is a summary of the main findings of that study.

Abstract:
The repetitive movements and manual handling required by window cleaning operatives have long caused those in the industry to be concerned about the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among operatives. Recent changes to legislation regarding working at height has caused many window cleaning companies to review their use of ladders and other access equipment, and has resulted in many changing to the use of long pole window cleaning (LPWC) systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by window cleaners as a whole and comparing the prevalence of such symptoms between users of LPWC systems and users of conventional equipment. The study revealed a staggering level of prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among window cleaners, particularly with regard to upper limb disorders. However, the study seems to indicate that users of LPWC systems are no more likely to suffer from these symptoms than users of conventional equipment. An observational study revealed that some relatively simple controls could reduce the level of symptoms experienced by LPWC system users.

Introduction:
The field of musculoskeletal disease is of serious concern to governments, business leaders, health professionals and health and safety practitioners. In the United Kingdom at present, it is the highest self-reported cause for absence from work, with during 2006/2007 over 1 million people reporting musculoskeletal symptoms caused or aggravated by work, leading to 10.7 million lost workdays (Jones et al, 2006).The term ‘musculo-skeletal disorders’ encompasses all complaints of muscles, bones and joints, as well as their connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments. There are many factors that are known to contribute to the manifestation of musculoskeletal symptoms. These include work procedures that involve repetitive tasks and muscular fatigue ,including load lifting, and power gripping (Pheasant, 2003; Silverstein, 1986); and neck extensions (Buckle and Devereaux, 1999; NIOSH, 1997);
These factors have meant that the window cleaning industry has always recognised that musculoskeletal disorders were a major problem to window cleaning operatives. The manual handling of access equipment together with the repetitive movements associated with the use of conventional cleaning methods (use of an applicator and squeegee) make window cleaners prime candidates for developing musculoskeletal symptoms.

In recent years however, the window cleaning industry has been revolutionised by the use of long pole window cleaning (LPWC) system. This system has obvious benefits in reducing the risks associated with working at height, but has it’s use meant that other risks, such as those that give rise to the development of musculoskeletal disorders been reduced, or increased? The objective of this study is to establish just that – has the increased use of LPWC systems also led to a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among operators?

Literature Review:
Research carried out among similar occupational activities may lead us to think that prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders would be increased by the working postures and physical demands of using LPWC systems.

One such study was carried out in Japan among workers in an orchard (Sakakibara et al, 1995). In this study, workers used long poles with baskets or nets to pick apples and pears from trees growing in orchards, with similar postures to those employed by operators of LPWC systems. Most significant perhaps was the need for significant visual demand whilst working. This meant workers were postured with necks extended for a considerable amount of the time. Sakakibara found that over 50% of pear-orchard workers experienced cervical pain. The working hours of these workers were perhaps considerably more than the average window cleaner, as they were working 8.9 hours a day for approximately 10 days. However, that was the only 10 days they were working in this seasonal aspect of their work. And so whilst their symptoms subsided reasonably shortly after their employment within the orchards, Sakakibara indicates that should this sort of posture be employed for any considerable length of time, then symptoms would become more pronounced.

A year later a similar study looked at the musculoskeletal disorders arising from the harvesting of palm fruit oil in Malaysia (Zainuddin & Haslam, 1996). Again similar postures were employed in using a sickle mounted on telescopic aluminium poles to cut fruit from palm trees. Zainuddin and Haslam found that only 25% of the time was spent in the posture concerned in this project, of reaching up with a telescopic pole, but of the 70% of workers that cut fruit from trees higher than 13m high, a staggering 98% were found to be experiencing discomfort and pain in their necks. Other areas where musculoskeletal symptoms were experienced included the hands, wrists and arms.

Other factors which are shown to have an effect on the development of musculoskeletal disorders in similar working conditions are the diameter and design of grips and grip surfaces, exposure to cold and damp weather, and the likelihood of slips and trips.
A range of musculoskeletal symptoms maybe suffered, must likely pain and discomfort in the upper limbs, shoulders, neck and back. The majority of these will be of a muscular or myalgic nature. Muscle spasms caused by muscular exhaustion, likely will cause stiff neck and myogenic headaches. These symptoms may pass quickly, but are likely to be recurrent, and may indeed be experienced many times within one working week. Myalgic conditions often effect younger populations, or those with a relatively limited exposure time to the cause of muscular exhaustion.

These myalgic conditions can be further exasperated by continual cervical extensions. It has been stated that bending the neck backwards, compresses nerves and blood vessels passing through the cervical region against the cervical vertebrae, again causing headaches. If the conditions causing cervical extension are allowed to continue, it may cause permanent neurological damage, and decreasing blood flow through vertebral and carotid vessels feeding the brain, leading in combination to vertigo, tinnitus, deafness, blackouts, visual disturbance and numbness in the arms (Toole & Tucher, 1960)
Symptoms probable to be reported because of gripping problems are likely to be those often associated with carpel tunnel syndrome (Pheasant, 2003). These symptoms would initially include numbness or tingling in the area around the median nerve, but may spread to include much of the hand and forearm, with severe and continual pain indicating an advanced case.

Study Design and population:
The study was primarily based on a questionnaire mailed to various window cleaners. The window cleaners involved were of a mixed group of ages and backgrounds, from different locations around the United Kingdom, with varying lengths of service as window cleaners, and who used various combinations of window cleaning equipment (conventional and LPWC systems).

The questionnaire was developed based on the standardised Nordic Questionnaire, with questions regarding pain and symptoms experienced over certain times in specific body regions, along with asking the respondents their age, gender, years window cleaning, hand dominance and percentage time using LPWC systems. This part of the study allowed users of both types window cleaning equipment to be compared against each other with regard to musculoskeletal symptoms reported.
Another part of the study was observational. Here a LPWC operator was observed using the system as standard and scored according to probable risks for musculoskeletal symptoms using the University of Surrey’s QEC system, and then again using some modifications recommended by the Health and Safety Laboratory in a previous study (Monnington, 2003). The modifications included the use of a grip area on the poles and a harness to support the weight of the pole in operation.

Results:
The anthropometric and demographic characteristics of the respondents to the questionnaire are summarized in Table 1. A total of 39 useable questionnaires were returned. Unfortunately, all the respondents were male, despite efforts to contact female window cleaning operatives; this largely reflects the demographic of the industry.
Very few (5.13%) of 16-24 year olds responded to the questionnaire, whilst considerable more 25-40 and 41-70 year olds did. This could be a reflection of the aging process and the acknowledgement it brings of one’s mortality and fragility.
The vast majority (58.97%) of the respondents had been window cleaning for over ten years, and could therefore be termed as career window cleaners, as opposed to those who enter the industry temporarily as a ‘stop-gap’ between occupations. This suited the purpose of the research well.
For the purpose of the research, all those that responded, who used the water fed pole system for more than 41% of the time were recorded as LPWC system users, whilst those that used the system less than 40% of the time were recorded as users of conventional equipment. In reality, the majority of window cleaners use either system in varying proportions, but the actual percentage of usage will often depend on the type of work being carried out (e.g. commercial, domestic, internal, external). For this study this equates to 58.98% of respondents being LPWC system users, and 41.02% as users of conventional equipment.

Table 1 - anthropometric and demographic characteristics of respondents
Variable Percentage (%)
Age
16-24 5.13
25-40 43.95
41-70 51.28

Period Window Cleaning
0-3 years 12.82
4-10 years 28.21
10yrs + 58.97

% time using LPWC
0-20% 15.38
21-40% 25.64
41-60% 0
61-80% 23.08
81-100% 35.90

Left-handed 17.95
Right handed 82.05

One of the most staggering statistics to come from this research is that 89.74% of the respondents had experienced some symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders during the past 12 months, highlighting that which was already mentioned that all window cleaners, irrespective of the equipment they use are susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders. Of the respondents, 30.77 % had had their work disrupted by MSD symptoms in the past 12 months and 28.20% had experienced some musculoskeletal symptoms in the 7 days previous to filling in the questionnaire.
As table 2 shows, the most common anatomical regions that respondents experienced symptoms in was the shoulders, neck and hand/wrists. As anticipated this shows a high prevalence of work-related upper limb disorders in the industry. Interestingly in nearly all of the anatomical regions highlighted by the questionnaire, a greater proportion of users of conventional equipment experienced symptoms than the proportion of users of LPWC systems. The notable exceptions to this were the wrist/hands and both the upper and lower back regions.
Table 2- Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in window cleaners
Anatomical Region Respondents who suffered symptoms (%) Respondents whose work was disrupted in past yr (%) Respondents who had felt MSD symptoms in previous 7 days (%) % of pole users who experienced symptoms % of conventional users that experienced symptoms
Neck 66.6 15.38 17.95 65.21 68.75
Shoulder 76.92 15.38 7.67 69.56 87.50
Elbow 30.77 5.13 7.69 26.09 31.25
Hand/wrist 58.97 5.13 12.82 65.21 50.00
Upper back 30.77 2.56 7.69 39.13 18.75
Lower back 56.41 12.82 17.95 56.52 50.00
Hip/thighs 7.69 0 0 13.04 0.00
Knees 15.38 2.56 0 13.04 18.75
Feet 0 0 0 0 0

The results of the observational study can be seen in table 3. This table shows the unmodified pole system as the control on the top row, with the enhanced grip surface below, and the harness below that. The lower the score, the lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The greatest improvement is seen with the use of a harness, which shows reduced risk for the back, shoulder/arm and wrist/hand regions. The use of a grip surface did reduce risk in the wrist/hand region slightly.

Table 3 - Results of the QEC observational study
Anatomical Region Respondents who suffered symptoms (%) Respondents whose work was disrupted in past yr (%) Respondents who had felt MSD symptoms in previous 7 days (%) % of pole users who experienced symptoms % of conventional users that experienced symptoms
Neck 66.6 15.38 17.95 65.21 68.75
Shoulder 76.92 15.38 7.67 69.56 87.50
Elbow 30.77 5.13 7.69 26.09 31.25
Hand/wrist 58.97 5.13 12.82 65.21 50.00
Upper back 30.77 2.56 7.69 39.13 18.75
Lower back 56.41 12.82 17.95 56.52 50.00
Hip/thighs 7.69 0 0 13.04 0.00
Knees 15.38 2.56 0 13.04 18.75
Feet 0 0 0 0 0

Discussion:
The finding of this study should certainly underscore to the window cleaning industry the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms within window cleaning operatives and therefore that the likelihood of later developing musculoskeletal disorders is extremely high. It is staggering to note that 89.74% of respondents to the questionnaire had experienced some musculoskeletal symptoms during the past year and 30.77% had had their working lives affected by these symptoms during the same period. This prevalence rate is considerably higher than in the working population in general, which runs at 1.8% of those who’ve worked in the past 12 months (HSE, 2008), and is higher even against the skilled trades occupations, which includes comparative industries such as skilled agricultural and construction trades, where approximately 9% of those in those occupations self-reported musculoskeletal disorders. (HSE, 2008).
From the results of the questionnaire it is obvious that the main cause for concern is that these musculoskeletal symptoms will develop into upper limb disorders, primarily disorders of the neck, shoulder, wrist/hands and the lower back. As was mentioned earlier, there are many factors which can lead to the development of the type of symptoms experienced by the respondents of the study. The development of symptoms may be influenced by working practices, the organization of the work and the individual characteristics of those involved. Research suggests that personal factors such as age, hand dominance, height, weight and smoking do not have a direct function in the development of musculoskeletal symptoms. (Malchaire et al., 2001)
It seems likely that working postures and techniques contribute significantly to the development of musculoskeletal strain. For users of conventional window cleaning equipment, there is the need to grip an applicator or squeegee whilst at the same time as twisting the arm, wrist and shoulders. This is done repeatedly with high frequency, perhaps ten’s of times a minute. As visual demand is high, and it is not always possible to keep the working area at shoulder or eye level, often the neck is twisted or extended to maintain a clear vision of the work. Very similar strains are required of the user of LPWC systems. The pole itself must be gripped firmly. Often this is wet and cold, and at present, no pole manufacturer designs a grip area onto their poles (this is most probably because users of the LPWC system use various parts of the lower section of the poles.

Recommended Actions:
Certainly the industry needs to seriously consider how to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among window cleaning operatives, whether they are users of conventional or LPWC systems. Symptoms will often develop as a result of muscle fatigue from heavy or repetitive work. Therefore changes need to be considered to how work is carried out, and schedules are set. There is a need to consider job rotation, to allow rest between work periods, and to allow for frequent breaks from heavy and repetitive tasks during the working day. Managers and supervisors need to be aware of these risks when considering risk assessments for tasks and make sure suitable and sufficient controls are in place.
Part of the controls would be to make sure that staff are trained in the use of whatever tools they are being asked to use, to be made aware how forceful and repetitive postures and rapid hand movements can affect the body, and how to counter these problems.
Another area worthy of consideration is that of building design. Many incidences of musculoskeletal injuries can be attributed to slips, trips and falls (Hester, 2006). It is still the case that many designers, whilst endeavouring to increase building security, have put in many obstacles that can hinder window cleaning operatives, using either conventional or LPWC systems. Wide, thorny shrub borders and high walls and banks can be very difficult for window cleaners to negotiate, especially if they are concentrating on moving ladders or poles, which demand that vision is focused upwards.
Specifically looking at the design of poles and their use, the observational study highlighted that both the use of harnesses and grip surfaces could reduce the risk to operators. LPWC system manufacturers should consider these and similar methods of controlling the risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms.

Conclusion:
For many years the window cleaning industry has been aware of the safety implications of its activities. Window cleaning scrapers have been designed to make them safer to use and to change blades; special signs have been designed to warn of slip and trip hazards; and of course the hazards of working at height have been addressed by the introduction of LPWC systems. However, sometimes the health aspects of health and safety have been neglected. It has not been made clear from this research that the move to LPWC systems has actually increased the likelihood of operators developing musculoskeletal disorders, but what has been made clear is that the prevalence of these conditions among window cleaners is unacceptable, and the industry must take steps to reduce them as soon as possible.

Base Jumping, Phones & Politics - Window Cleaners Adventures

Aussie daredevil makes BASE jumping history: A young Aussie thrill-seeker has made BASE jumping history with a breathtaking launch off a rope swing in the Blue Mountains. The 26-year-old man has even captured his amazing feat on camera: using a 30m rope, known as the 'Death Swing', to launch himself off a mountain cliff top and perform a graceful double-backflip before opening his parachute just 150m from the ground. The young Sydney resident, who goes by the adopted name Lucky Chance, said he had prepared for the jump for nearly a year and was thrilled with his success. "I grew up in the Blue Mountains and I knew this spot was awesome," Mr Chance told ninemsn. "To be able to swing out and just let go … there's nothing like it."
But Mr Chance said taking the jump was not as smooth as it seemed on camera. "On the day of the video it was atrocious conditions, really windy … I hit the ground pretty hard and thrashed my hands and ankles." Mr Chance, who changed his name while working for a circus, performed the stunt one day last month after hiking 5km to the jumping point through a trail. The 'Death Swing' is a rope swing attached to a peak at a secret location in the NSW Blue Mountains National Park. Most daredevils who ride the swing use a harness to keep them secured to the rope; Mr Chance is the first person to ever let go.

He also believes he is the first Australian to ever perform a rope swing-to-BASE jump. "It was just amazing to watch," Mr Caple told ninemsn. "Lucky's been doing crazy things for a long time but this is probably one of the craziest." Mr Chance, who also is an expert rock climber, began BASE jumping four years ago during a trip to Europe. "I haven't been doing it very long but I know it's what I want to do," he said. "It gives me a purpose in life." Although Mr Chance admits park rangers might not have been happy with his latest jump — he said he believes he has done nothing wrong. "Taking into account my ability, and the safety precautions I took, it was safe," he said. "I wasn't doing anything wrong and I wasn't hurting anybody."
A NSW Blue Mountains National Park spokesman told ninemsn the use of the 'Death Swing' was "not an approved activity within the park at all". "The 'Death Swing' is an activity that is more dangerous and less controlled than either climbing or abseiling and requires specific permission to be carried out," the spokesman said. "People who are doing this activity are placing themselves at risk as well as emergency personnel who have to retrieve them when something goes wrong." The spokesman also said other high risk pursuits such as base jumping, hang gliding and bungee jumping are not permitted in the park due to "the great potential for personal injury". But for Mr Chance, who works as a window cleaner in Sydney's CBD, his latest feat is only the beginning. "I want to keep pushing the limits … I want to do a quadruple backflip next time." More lucky window cleaning videos here.

Cellphone stop led to drunk-driving charge: KITCHENER — An OPP officer must have forgotten about the three-month grace period for drivers using hand-held cellphones last November. The officer stopped Gerry Koolen’s pickup truck on Highway 85 in Kitchener the afternoon of Nov. 25. He wasn’t speeding or driving erratically, Kitchener’s Ontario Court heard Wednesday. Koolen was talking on a hand-held cellphone. The officer charged him under the new law that had gone into effect barely a month earlier, on Oct. 29.
Most traffic officers were observing a three-month grace period and simply issuing warnings at that time. Police throughout Ontario only began enforcing the law on Monday. The OPP officer also charged Koolen with driving with more than the legally allowable amount of alcohol in his blood. He noted a boozy odour on Koolen’s breath after speaking to him, court heard. Koolen admitted to drinking three beers and failed a roadside test. Prosecutor Mark Poland withdrew the cellphone charge. He said it was the first he’d seen. Koolen pleaded guilty to the drunk-driving charge and was fined $1,200.
His lawyer, Darwin Witmer, said outside court police probably laid the cellphone charge to justify stopping him. He would have faced a $125 ticket plus a $30 surcharge if convicted. More concerning to Koolen was the 18-month driving prohibition imposed by the judge. He owns a window-cleaning business that employs nine staff. He has clients across the province and has been forced to get staff to drive him to job sites, Witmer said. Koolen, 46, was convicted of impaired driving in 1991 and had what Justice Michael Epstein called “an atrocious’’ Highway Traffic Act record. It includes convictions for speeding and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. “I realize I did wrong,’’ Koolen told the judge. “I need my licence. I apologize. It won’t happen again.’’

A local political action committee asked candidates running for Gainesville mayor and the City Commission District 4 seat questions about how they would increase the quality of life in east Gainesville for the city's black population before voting to endorse one candidate in each race. The 10 candidates - five each in the mayor's race and for the District 4 seat - took part in a candidate's forum hosted Monday night by the African American Coalition for Political Action, which is made up of members of the African American Accountability Alliance of Alachua County, or 4As. The city election will take place March 16. Early voting will be held March 8-13.
More than 50 people attended the forum at the Alachua County Health Department, which ended with the group endorsing two political veterans - current District 4 city Commissioner Craig Lowe for mayor and former Alachua County Commissioner Penny Wheat in the District 4 City Commission race. All of the candidates each gave two-minute opening statements before having 90 seconds to respond to questions concerning the black community. One of the questions asked mayoral candidates was to identify three critical needs in the black community and their plans to address them. Don Marsh (pictured left), who has owned a local window cleaning business for 29 years, said the top three critical needs to him are more job opportunities, clean air and clean water.

Window Cleaner Rescue, Swine Flu + Window Cleaning News

Firefighters Rescue Window Washer After Lines Jam (BALTIMORE) : A window washer got stuck 12 stories in the air at a Baltimore high rise Tuesday. Weijia Jiang reports the man was in the 800-block of Lancaster Street in Harbor East working several stories up when his lines jammed, affecting his ability to maneuver around. "The mechanism that allows him to go up and down to wash windows is powered by a motor, which malfunctioned," said Kevin Cartwright with the Baltimore City Fire Department. Fire department members were able to secure the man with a rope and safely get him inside the building. Witnesses say the man stayed calm while he was hanging in the air. "That's the thing about it, you can't think about it because if you think about it, you can't do what we do. It takes a lot of courage to do what we do. We're out here in the snow, the rain, the sun," said foreman Roland Boyer. "This is what we do. This is our job." The window washer was not hurt. He has not been identified.

Cowtown Cracks Down on Signs - Popular hamburger joint ordered to remove name from window: As part of a crackdown on signs, city inspectors on Tuesday ordered Kincaid’s Hamburgers on Camp Bowie Boulevard to scrape its name off its front window or face fines of $500 per day. An ordinance passed two years ago forbids businesses from having signs or lettering that block more than 10 percent of a window. The law, aimed at cleaning up clutter, also limits the use of temporary and permanent signs. The owner of the iconic hamburger joint, which opened in 1946, said he is puzzled by the order to remove the sign. "We don't consider it offensive,” said Kincaid’s owner Ron Gentry. “There's nothing about it that would upset anyone. Obviously, the city is upset about it."
At least two other businesses near Kincaid’s also received similar orders. The owner of a salon was given two days to remove a sign from her window, which advertises the services she sells, such as manicures and facials. "And I'm like, ‘OK, so you're telling me I have to take it off?’” the owner of Salon One recalled asking the inspector. “And he said, ‘You have to take it off except for three lines.’” Next door, a small business that sells cupcakes was ordered to remove a temporary sign with two helium-filled balloons out front. City managers said the inspector was just doing his job, enforcing a law designed to make the city look better. "We're not trying to negatively impact anyone's business,” said David Hall, assistant manager of Fort Worth’s planning department. “The ultimate goal is compliance with the law, and we'll give people enough time to come into compliance." He noted that businesses can appeal the orders to the city’s Board of Adjustment. The owner of Kincaid’s said city leaders should rethink the entire ordinance. "That signage is very important for these small independent businesses,” Gentry said. “There aren't a lot of chains up and down Camp Bowie… and we need our signage so people can see us." Several customers echoed his comments and said the advertising is harmless. “I love the sign, I love the burger, and I see no reason for the sign to go,” said one man. Hall said the city is enforcing the sign ordinance all over the city, not just along Camp Bowie.

H1N1 Flu Is a False Pandemic, Health Expert Claims: A leading health expert said the swine flu scare was a "false pandemic" led by drug companies that stood to make billions from vaccines, The Sun reported Monday. Wolfgang Wodarg, head of health at the Council of Europe, claimed major firms organized a "campaign of panic" to put pressure on the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a pandemic. He believes it is "one of the greatest medicine scandals of the century," and he has called for an inquiry. An emergency debate on the issue will be held by the Council of Europe later this month. The Council of Europe covers 47 European countries and seeks to develop common and democratic principles between the nations.
Wodarg said, "It's just a normal kind of flu. It does not cause a tenth of deaths caused by the classic seasonal flu. "The great campaign of panic we have seen provided a golden opportunity for representatives from labs who knew they would hit the jackpot in the case of a pandemic being declared. "We want to clarify everything that brought about this massive operation of disinformation. We want to know who made decisions, on the basis of what evidence, and precisely how the influence of the pharmaceutical industry came to bear on the decision-making." He added: "A group of people in the WHO is associated very closely with the pharmaceutical industry." The WHO recently reaffirmed its stance that the pandemic is not over. However, the number of swine flu deaths is dramatically lower than expected.
In an interview with France's L'Humanite Sunday, Wodarg also raised concerns about swine flu vaccines. "The vaccines were developed too quickly. Some ingredients were insufficiently tested," he said. "But there is worse to come. The vaccine developed by Novartis was produced in a bioreactor from cancerous cells, a technique that had never been used until now. "This was not necessary. It has also led to a considerable mismanagement of public money. "The time has come at last for us to make demands on governments. The purpose of the inquiry is to prevent more false alarms of this type in the future." "We must make sure people can rely on the analysis and the expertise of national and international public institutions. The latter are now discredited, because millions of people have been vaccinated with products with inherent possible health risks." Also see here.

Joy Braband of Glencoe and Justin Richter of Brooklyn Park announce their engagement and plans to marry on Feb. 27 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie. Parents of the couple are Jon and Jodi Braband of Glencoe, Maureen Hanley of Fargo, N.D., and Kurt Richter of Oak Grove. Braband is a 2008 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and is a second-year student in phsyical therapy at the Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester. Richter owns Richter Window Cleaning Service and is a student at the University of Minnesota, Rochester campus, majoring in nursing.

More states are requiring schools and government buildings to use environmentally friendly cleaning products, raising debate about their costs and benefits. In New York, schools that responded to a state survey said their costs went up 10 percent, on average, in the first year they complied with a 2005 cleaning law. But New York's Office of General Services said successful programs reduce levels of cleaning chemicals, mold and dust that cause asthma attacks, a top reason students miss school.

Owners' plea for return of precious puppy Lola: Despairing Lisa and John Creaghan are offering "a generous reward" after a thief took their English bull terrier from John's van while he was window cleaning at a house in the hamlet of Highbrook, near Ardingly. The five-month-old red and white puppy called Lola is microchipped and John and Lisa think an "opportunist thief" may have taken her after expecting to find tools or other valuables in John's van. Lisa, of Bolnore Village, said: "She means so much to us. She is my life." Anyone who knows of Lola's whereabouts should ring Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Window Cleaning News + Another Ladder Fall

Window cleaner airlifted after fall: A window cleaner had to be airlifted to hospital after he fell off his ladder in a Powys village. The man, who has been named locally as Tim Owen, was cleaning windows on the Llys Rhufain estate, in Caersws, near Newtown, when the incident happened yesterday. Derek Newall, who lives in the village, said Mr Owen had been cleaning windows on the estate when the accident happened at about 4pm. He said he saw the air ambulance arrive. “He was cleaning windows and fell off his ladder,” he said. “I went to the medical centre in Caersws with his father and his wife. An ambulance attended and a decision was made to airlift him to hospital.” A spokesman from the Welsh Ambulance Service said it was called to the scene just before 4pm.

Robo-window cleaners in Dubai: Last month, a great number of press outlets picked up on the fact that clearly the windows of the world's tallest building would be a feat unto itself. Figures were thrown around saying that a team of 36 cleaners would take three months to wash the 2,717-foot tower using 12 state-of-the-art machines that travel along tracks fixed to the building's exterior. However, all that hard work put into designing a window-washing system for the super-skyscraper could be in vain, as Swiss company Serbot AG unveils their new robotic cleaning system specifically designed for windows and façades on high-rise buildings. And where better to show it off, than in Dubai?
The Great Gekko and CleanAnt: The robots, Gekko and CleanAnt, already have the advantage over their human counter parts as they are able to work at wind speeds that would prohibit manual cleaning for safety reasons. Not just that, but Bas Schmit Phiferons, Serbot business development manager, firmly believes in their excellent cleaning performance, constant availability and minimal operating costs which makes them an ideal window-cleaning system. More importantly, they're faster than human cleaners.
Gekko, for example, has a cleaning capacity of up to 400 square metres an hour, which is 15 times faster than manual cleaning. It's rapid cleaning ability gives it, not only potential in the high-rise cleaning industry, but in the maintenance of solar panels and photovoltaic modules.
Removing leaves, pollen, sand and dust from entire fields of solar panels could see solar efficiency improve and eliminate the need for employees to carry out the dangerous task on the steep panels at night. Gekko instead uses vacuum power to attach itself to the surface to be cleaned, whether vertical, horizontal or slanted, and then uses a windshield-wiper type of brush to blast away any kind of dirt on the glass.
Speaking to Construction Week Online, Phiferons was positive about how his product would do in the UAE. "We are bringing this new technology to the UAE, where we have seen a lot of potential, especially with all the skyscrapers and the various architectural designs, which are very hard to clean using conventional methods," he said. He also talked up the 'green credentials' of the robo-cleaners - "No detergent is needed for cleaning, which is an added environmental advantage. The robots can use dry ice, demineralised water or water with enzymes to eat away the oils. They also can filter and recycle the used material to minimise waste." On paper, they sound fantastic... here's hoping they just don't try and take over the world. It's always the way with robots...

Imdaad, the leading integrated Facilities Management solutions providers in the UAE, today announced the launch of its latest major initiative, Imdaad HomePro Maintenance Services, an exclusive service division offering clients comprehensive maintenance programme to help protect and preserve homes. Imdaad HomePro Maintenance Services cover all key areas of protecting and preserving the safety and beauty of the home. The package of services include the maintenance of Façade and Window Cleaning.

Handbags stolen from Thame homes: Police are appealing for information after two houses were burgled in Thame. Between 12.30am on Thursday and 4.30pm on Friday, thieves gained access to a property in Nelson Street and stole a handbag. A handbag was also stolen from a property in Essex Road when it was burgled between 9.15pm on Wednesday and 8.15am on Thursday. Det Con Emma McGrath said: “There are no signs of forced entry to either premise, but we have had reports that there has been a man in the area acting suspiciously and offering window cleaning. “I am appealing to anyone who may have seen this man or any suspicious activity in the area to contact the police.” Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Det Con McGrath at Didcot police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Janitors’ union sets date for strike vote: After two full weeks of working without a contract, a union representing more than 4,000 Twin Cities janitors decided last week to set a strike authorization vote over unfair labor practices. The vote was scheduled to take place on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the union’s weekly member meeting. At press time, the outcome was not yet known, but the Downtown Journal has been posting web updates regarding this story at downtownjournal.com. SEIU Local 26 — Minnesota’s Property Services Union, which represents security officers and window cleaners in addition to janitors — had arranged for two additional weeks of negotiations at the end of last year, pushing the final deadline for a new contract to Jan. 8. That deadline came and went, with both sides no closer to an agreement. At a member meeting the following day, the union voted to set another two-week deadline “for companies to get serious,” according to SEIU Local 26 President Javier Morillo-Alicea. That deadline expired Jan. 22, and the decision to set a strike authorization vote came at the following day’s member meeting.

More States Requiring 'Green' Cleaning Products in Schools: In an era where the "3 Rs" have now come to stand for "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle," an increasing number of states are requiring schools and government buildings to use environmentally friendly cleaning products. By the end of 2009, 10 states, including Connecticut, Illinois and New York, had already enacted Green Clean Schools Acts requiring or encouraging the use of environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in schools, according to Green Seal Inc., a nonprofit whose eco-certification is internationally recognized and well-respected. Similar legislation is expected to be considered in 2010 in at least five states, including California and Wisconsin.

Critics say that while the measures are laudable, states should not mandate which products schools and agencies must buy, especially if they increase costs for governments that are struggling financially. In New York, schools that responded to a state survey said their costs went up 10 percent, on average, in the first year they complied with a 2005 cleaning law. But New York's Office of General Services said successful programs reduce levels of cleaning chemicals, mold and dust that cause asthma attacks, a top reason students miss school. Linda Chipperfield, a vice president for Green Seal, said its certified products use less packaging and cannot contain chemicals that cause cancer, kill aquatic life or deplete the ozone layer, among other things.

Quincy Public School Maintenance Director Dennis Peters said while the district wasn't mandated to use green cleaning products until a year ago, it started a year early. "We'll do anything we can to help out the environment," he said. The cost is about the same, Peters said, although the district hasn't switched all its paper products to recyclables yet. "I don't know that they do the same job that products used to, but maybe those were a little harsh," Peters said. "We may have to use a little more elbow grease, but the end result is the same."

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's 'Cemetery Juction': Definitely not 'The Office': “The film itself centers around three young guys growing up in a small town. One of them is dreaming big, he wants to escape the blue-collar life which his dad, played by Ricky, has, working in a factory and window-cleaning on the side.

Solar Panel Cleaning: Add-On For Window Cleaners

Solar-panel cleaning a gleam in eyes of window cleaners: Erin Alpers, co-owner of Fish Window Cleaning of Reno with her husband, Alan, says she currently doesn’t include solar panel cleaning as part of her business model — yet. “I would love to get into it,” Alpers says. “It would foster some growth.” As solar arrays become more common throughout the United States, window- washing companies are expected to increasingly include solar panel cleaning to boost revenues, say executives who were in Reno last week for the International Window Cleaning Association’s annual convention.
Several companies at the window-cleaning convention displayed window-washing equipment and chemicals specifically adapted to clean solar panels. Maureen Newman, vice president of diversified markets for Mr. LongArm, a maker of high-reach poles for painting and window cleaning, says a solar manufacturer looking for a product designed to clean panels approached her company last May. In November Mr. LongArm adapted its poles, which extend to 24 feet, to clean solar panels with water using a microfiber sleeve and squeegee system.
Newman says Mr. LongArm has seen an uptick in telephone inquiries about its products as the result of a YouTube video that demonstrates solar panel cleaning. California, the Northeastern seaboard and international markets are the company’s biggest markets to date. “There are very few companies that actively seek to clean solar panels,” Newman says, “and of those companies, window washers are the most prevalent.”
In addition to window washers expanding their reach, new businesses catering to cleaning solar arrays are expected to crop up as well. One, the Solar Maid Company, licenses solar panel cleaning franchises and offers two franchises in Reno. Jason Vestal, owner of Five-Star Window Washing of Reno, says he’s looked into cleaning solar arrays to increase revenues but currently doesn’t offer the service. Vestal says one of the challenges in branching into solar panel cleaning is convincing customers that the loss of power generation from a dirty solar array outweighs the cost of cleaning. “If they lost $1 per month, and it costs $30 to clean, then it’s not worth it to them,” Vestal says. “But if you can convince them you can save them money by cleaning then sure, why not?”
But dirty solar panels can be quite costly for companies that sell power to local utilities, says Steve Blyth, vice president for window cleaning supplier J. Racenstein Co., another company demonstrating solar cleaning products at an exhibit booth at the window cleaning convention. There are two main reasons to keep solar panels clean, Blyth says. First, panel manufacturers often require some sort of cleaning to keep warranties valid. Second, power efficiencies drop off up to 40 percent with dust, grime or bird droppings on the glass.
“We have people who get rebates from Southern California Edison for systems on the roof of their manufacturing facility, and all of a sudden the rebate stopped entirely because they didn’t hit the minimum threshold for power output,” he says. “This was probably a $3,000-a-month rebate, so cleaning is a nominal cost when you lose that kind of rebate.” As the industry grows, need for solar panel cleaners will increase as well, Blyth says. Inception of a baseline pricing structure for services is another challenge for window washers. Solar panels don’t need to be cleaned with the same attention to detail as the windows in a retail store, Blyth says, but there are different ways to tackle dirty panels:

• Cleaning manually with a pole are and squeegee — the most labor intensive.
• Using a water-fed pole to scrub the glass with no rinsing, a “spot-free” cleaning.
• Spraying on a chemical that degrades the dirt and then is hosed off, a process similar to that used at a touch-free car wash.

“Window cleaners have had trouble trying to figure out how to bid the work competitively,” Blyth says. “But as the number of square feet of solar panel arrays are established in and amongst existing infrastructure, the need for established cleaners will increase. “In the next 10 years we are going to see those four houses in your neighborhood with solar turn into 40 or 50, and then the local window cleaner is going to be doing that cleaning. He has all the tools.”

SOLAR PANEL CLEANING SYSTEM IMPORTANT SAFETY MEASURES:

ELECTRIC SHOCK, FIRE & BURN HAZARD
Do not attempt to clean a panel with a broken glass cover or a perforated backsheet.
Such a panel can present a serious shock hazard.

1. Use caution when cleaning PV panels, as the combination of water and electricity may present a shock hazard. To prevent the possibility of severe personal injury or equipment damage due to electrical shock:
1A) Check the glass surface on the panels for exposed wires or cracks and the backing for tears, perforations or other damage before you begin washing. If there are any, do not continue and call a technician.
1B) Wear rubber gloves whenever cleaning the panel.

2. The surface you stand on may become slippery when wet, so use extreme caution.

3. If working on a roof or other areas above ground level, exercise extreme caution and use proper safety fall protection equipment.

4. Sharp edges may exist on the components. Protective gloves should be worn while cleaning the solar array system.

5. To prevent scratching and damaging the solar panel glass:
5A) Angle the metal squeegee properly so only the rubber squeegee blade touches the glass surface.
5B) Do not drop anything heavy or metal on the panel surface.
5C) Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight - electrical current and power increase with light intensity. The best time is early in the AM or late in the PM.
5D) Do not use harsh chemicals that may damage the glass surface or leave a residue, do not touch or walk on the surface, etc.
5E) Do not use hard or abrasive methods such as scouring powder, steel wool, scrapers, blades or other sharp instruments.
5F) Avoid using power washers; instead, normal pressure from a standard residential hose and faucet is recommended.

See more Mr. Longarm Info here.