72 Year Old Window Cleaner Falls To His Death

The new estate where Keith Harrison fell to his death.

Jury says Barnsley window cleaner fell to his death: A pensioner who worked as a window cleaner died when he fell off his ladder and plummeted to the ground, an inquest heard. Keith Harrison, aged 72, was washing windows at a house on Verona Drive, Darfield, Barnsley, when the tragic accident happened. He was taken to Barnsley Hospital and transferred to the Royal Hallamshire in Sheffield but died three days later, on January 26. Mr Harrison, had lived on Mount Street, Ardsley, for most of his life. He once worked as a miner, but gave up his job at Houghton Main pit when a friend died in an accident. Mr Harrison also worked in Barnsley Council’s refuse department and started an afternoon window cleaning round. Jurors recorded a verdict of accidental death.

HEALTH & SAFETY DOCUMENT CODE of PRACTICE 

WORKING at HEIGHT
ISSUE DATE & VERSION   JANUARY 2012 v1.2

 

4.1  Generic Risk Assessments and Their Application

The purpose of a generic risk assessment is to define the parameters within which a piece of
equipment e.g. step ladder, elevating platform etc can be safely used. The following generic risk
assessments have been produced and are available by following the links below: The generic risk assessment will give consideration to the following:

• the activity – including loading (weights, dimensions of materials); 
• the condition and stability of the work surfaces; 
• the duration of the work; 
• the equipment that will be used at height, e.g. tools and their weight; 
• personal protective equipment; 
• the environment, e.g. weather, temperature, lighting; 
• the physical condition of the people involved e.g. age, fitness, pregnancy, vertigo; 
• the training and supervision of the people undertaking the work at heights; 
• maintenance and storage of the equipment used for working at heights; 
• emergencies and rescue.

OAP window cleaner dies after plunge: A window cleaner who had been in the business for more than 40 years has died after falling from his ladder. Keith Harrison, 72, was cleaning windows when he fell and banged his head. He was rushed to Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital but died three days later, following a stroke. Eunice Clifton, 67, his close friend and neighbour in Ardsley, Barnsley, said: “He was jolly, kind and just a lovely man. People are in absolute shock. “He loved being a window cleaner, I think it was the social aspect of it. He just couldn’t retire because he liked it so much.
“The day he had the accident he had been mending my fencing. He had got to the last panel and was coming back in the afternoon but never got the chance.” Mr Harrison, who had lived on the same street since he was a boy, was a former miner who worked in Barnsley Council’s refuse department and started an afternoon window cleaning round. He cleaned windows all over Barnsley and was working at a house in Darfield when the accident happened.