Window Cleaning Contractor On Trial In France

Saint-Malo Brittany.

Window cleaning contractor on trial in France: A window cleaner died after falling off his ladder, resulting in a court case. An accident has been tried by the local criminal court of Saint-Malo following the death of a window cleaner who fell off his ladder.

Nobody saw or heard anything that day inside a superstore near Saint-Malo, in Brittany. While he was cleaning indoor windows Christian Aubert, 46, fell from his ladder and was found unconscious with severe head injuries. This model employee, who had 24 years’ experience, died four days later in hospital without having regained consciousness.

Eight months later his employer, the boss of a cleaning firm with 11 employees found himself before the court, charged with involuntary homicide and infringement of health and safety regulations.

Did Christian Aubert, on the day of his accident, have with him the equipment necessary for carrying out his tasks in accordance with the relevant safety regulation? This was the question the judges had to find an answer to while referring to the company’s internal rules and to the complex French legislation embodied in the Code du Travail.

As far as the company boss was concerned, the victim had been working within the law - he was working on a ladder that carried him to a height of two metres above the ground to clean a glazed surface to a maximum height of 3.6 metres.

“If one takes account of the man’s height and the fact he was working with arms stretched, he must have been at a height of about 1.25 metres above the ground,” argued the employer, who had distributed an internal note prohibiting his workers from climbing without protection to a height of over 1.60 metres.

But there were no witnesses and even the victim’s workmate, who was working next to him, was unable to confirm this assertion. On the other side of the witness stand, lawyers defending the dead employee referred to the work inspector’s report, who had investigated the accident and had concluded that acts of “negligence” had been involved and the employer had been responsible for not abiding by safety regulations.

“In this matter, lack of prudence has been involved, even though it may have been in good faith”, the public prosecutor decided, demanding a 3,500 euros fine.

Meanwhile the defendant has made new arrangements within his company, putting a wheeled scaffolding tower at the disposal of his workers, a device that may not be compulsory but which would have prevented the dramatic accident which struck Christian Aubert.

This case is a reminder that, as regards safety at work, there is no guarantee staff won’t be hit by an accident. This is particularly true of window cleaners, who often have to work at great heights. In this case, a man lost his life while working at less than two metres from the ground.

So far the ruling hasn’t been announced because the case is still being deliberated, but it is generally expected the employer will receive a sentence on the 3rd October when the case in court reopens. 

Detroit Ladder Rescue

Scary moments for a window washer who ended up dangling by his feet on the side of a building near downtown Detroit.

DETROIT - Scary moments for a window washer who ended up dangling by his feet on the side of a building near downtown Detroit. The man was washing windows on a building in the 900 block of Henry when something happened to his gear. He slipped and got stuck hanging by his feet.

Detroit emergency crews responded and were able to free the man within a matter of minutes. His coworker was preparing to go up with him to help wash windows when he looked up and saw him dangling.

Window Cleaner Rescues Residents

Hero: Plucky window cleaner Darren Bullock, who once played for Worcester City, uses his ladder to rescue a man from the blaze

Football star turned window cleaner pulls man from burning building: A former Worcester City star was the hero after he pulled a man from a burning building moments before he was going to jump from a first floor window. Football player turned window cleaner Darren Bullock climbed his ladder to pull the man to safety as the blaze raged in the house at the junction of Sebright Avenue and London Road.

The man was one of three people from the house treated for smoke inhalation but, if it hadn’t been for Mr Bullock, it could have been worse. The former midfield enforcer, who played for Malvern Town and Worcester City in the late 80s and early 90s, before later playing for Huddersfield and Swindon Town, spotted the smoke billowing from the house as he went to collect the ladders he uses for his window cleaning.

He said: “I was walking up London Road towards the Sebright Arms and I saw smoke billowing out of the chimney. I got by it and there was smoke everywhere. “I went round the side of the house. There was a lad I know who was in the top window and the smoke was billowing out. “I ran over the road to get my ladder and I put it up and got up and grabbed him and pulled him down. “He was struggling for breath because the smoke was really bad. I was only up there for five or 10 seconds and the smoke was horrible. He was trying to get out and said he was going to jump. If he had jumped he might have broken his leg. “The good thing is everybody got out.”

The man was one of eight people living in the house. Other eyewitnesses reported seeing the smoke streaming from the chimney and windows. Brian Salisbury, aged 61, lives in the house but was next door at the Odds & Sods second-hand shop, where he works part time. He said: “I noticed the smoke at about 9am and came outside to make sure everyone was out. There was two lads here with ladders trying to get someone out of the window. “I think my room has had it. The guy was in the flat when it went up. He doesn’t know what happened.”

Another resident, Michael Mountford, 71, wasn’t in when the fire started. He said: “I have lived here for about 37 years. All my clothes were in there. It is sad. If I’d been here it might not have happened.” This is the second major fire in the area in the last few months. A fire wrecked the Seacrest Fish Bar across the road last September. Mark Fletcher runs the post office just a few doors down from the chip shop. He said: “If it had been a couple of hours earlier when people were asleep it could have been a lot different. Something needs to be done to the area, we could do without these fires.”

The window cleaners rescue ladders.

Four fire engines tackled the blaze, three from Worcester and another from Malvern. Emergency services shut both roads for about, an hour causing minor tailbacks in the city. Watch commander Adrian Farmer was the first on the scene. He said Red Watch was called to reports of smoke from a resident of London Road. He said: “We were initially faced with access issues due to parked cars. This delayed us for a few minutes. We proceeded on foot and as we turned the corner we saw one person being rescued for the upper floor by members of the public and there were two further people in the property.

"It was a fully developed fire. I was told there were two people still missing so two breathing apparatus crews searched the upstairs, downstairs and attic room. Everybody has been accounted for. “I would like to praise my crews for their hard work, we were faced with a very difficult, hot fire. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. “I would also thank the members of the public for their actions. Although we don’t encourage people to enter properties they did a good job of rescuing one person before we got there.” The cause of the fire is under investigation but fire crews confirmed the building had an alarm system.

Verdict, Ladders & Fines For UK Users

Tragic window cleaner used ‘unsafe’ ladders: An elderly window cleaner fell to his death in South Tyneside while using “unsafe” ladders. Robert Veater, 71, was working at a house in Hindmarch Drive, West Boldon, on November 8 when he slipped and fell. An inquest was told that Mr Veater suffered extensive brain and other injuries in the 12ft fall. After hearing evidence about the poor state of the ladders Mr Veater was using at the time, South Tyneside Coroner Terence Carney said: “This was sadly an accident waiting to happen.”

The hearing was told the metal ladders were hand-made in places and were not fitted with rubber feet. Mr Veater fell off the ladder while cleaning windows at the home of couple Glen Cattanach and Joanne Rowland, who came to his aid after hearing a loud crash. The couple were commended by the coroner for their actions, including putting the injured man in the recovery position and trying to clear his airway.

Pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper said death was the result of a blunt head injury, after Mr Veater slipped from the ladders and fell on to a sloping driveway. Mr Veater, of Durham Road, Sunderland, was initially taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary but, after he suffered respiratory arrest, the ambulance was diverted to South Tyneside District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Det Insp Caroline Ord, who investigated the fatal fall, said: “Mr Veater worked alone and usually anchored his ladders to a vehicle, but the ladders did not stay that way. “The two-piece ladder was not the safest and not in the best of repair. “In my opinion, the ladders slipped.” Mr Carney said: “Mr Veater died as the result of a blunt head injury and that blunt head injury occurred inadvertently in a fall.” Verdict: accidental death.

Trade in your old or dodgy ladders and get a brand new shiny safe ladder in return! The Ladder Exchange is a great example of how everyone in the health and safety system can share responsibility and work together towards a common goal; namely, reducing falls from height.

10,000 Ladders and Rising !!! With immediate effect, the Ladder Association has assumed responsibility for delivering the annual Ladder Exchange. Since its launch, the initiative has been responsible for removing over 10,000 broken, bent or damaged ladders from the workplace with the message 'Don't let a dodgy ladder shatter your life'. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the Ladder Exchange, which begins on 1 September and runs until 30 November 2012, provides all businesses with the opportunity to exchange broken, bent or damaged ladders for safe, new ones at a discounted price.

Actively supported by the Ladder Association and its members who, throughout, have made a firm commitment to work in partnership with HSE and the access industry, the Exchange has also contributed to raising awareness and understanding of how to use ladders and stepladders safely. Under the scheme, suspect ladders can be exchanged, at a discount, at participating partners. The Ladder Exchange is a great example of how everyone in the health and safety system can share responsibility and work together towards a common goal; namely, reducing falls from height.

Falls from height: Despite a steady decline, falls from height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality. In 2010/11, a total of 38 workers died and 4,327 employees suffered a major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace, with a further 10,232 employees suffering an ‘over 3 day’ injury. Many of these incidents could have been avoided by people with the right training using the correct equipment that had been properly inspected and maintained.

*Please contact the ladder association for more information even though the time-line has passed.

Fee for Intervention (FFI) - HSE now operates a Fee for Intervention (FFI) cost recovery scheme, which came into effect on 1 October 2012. Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action. Download the pdf file.

Why is FFI being introduced? HSE and the government believe it is right that businesses that break health and safety laws should pay for HSE’s time in putting matters right, investigating and taking enforcement action. Before FFI was introduced, this was paid for from the public purse. FFI will also encourage businesses to comply in the first place or put matters right quickly when they don’t. It will also discourage businesses who think that they can undercut their competitors by not complying with the law and putting people at risk.

Will FFI apply to me? If you comply with the law you won’t pay a fee.
FFI only applies to work carried out by HSE’s inspectors so if your business is inspected for health and safety by another regulator, such as local authority environmental health officers, it will not apply. FFI will apply to all businesses and organisations inspected by HSE, except for:

• self-employed people who don’t put people at risk by their work; 
• those who are already paying fees to HSE for the work through other arrangements; 
• and those who deliberately work with certain biological agents.

Biggest Idiot On A Ladder Winner

And the winner is..

Biggest idiot on a ladder crowned by Ladder Association after public vote: After three months of picture submissions and voting, the Ladder Association’s Idiots on Ladders campaign has discovered the biggest “ladder idiot” in the UK. Beginning on September 1st, the Ladder Association welcomed submissions from the public of the worst uses of ladders they could find. The competition, which aimed to shame dangerous ladder users into changing their ways, then offered people the chance to vote on Facebook to decide which picture was the worst.

The clear winner, with over 30% of the vote, showed a worker reaching up to the top of a chimney with a gaping fall directly below him. Not only could the fall have killed him, but one commenter pointed out that his ladder still did not reach high enough to keep him from stretching upwards. To top the situation off, he also had a bucket wedged between the ladder and the wall it was resting against. The Ladder Association is now looking into the background of the picture in an attempt to identify the man and offer him the training he obviously needs, assuming he has survived to benefit from it.

In second place came a picture taken earlier this year, showing a gardener with one foot on the rung of his ladder and the other on a tree branch, while he brandished a chainsaw at the tree’s other branches without protective clothing or a harness. The picture originally came from a news story in the Lincolnshire Echo, which reported that he was fined a total of £6,000 for his ladder idiocy. The photo only won around 14% of the vote but took off on Facebook as it was shared and commented on by even more people than the winner.

Cameron Clow, Chairman of the Ladder Association, said: “This competition was all about raising awareness and as such it was run alongside the Ladder Exchange, which offers people and businesses the chance to trade in unsafe ladders for new, compliant ones. We wanted to show together two of the biggest dangers in the workplace – people using their ladders in an unsafe way, and people using equipment that is unfit for purpose.

“Ladders are arguably the most common type of equipment used for work at height – it is estimated that three million are in use in the UK alone. Reported ladder accidents have fallen by over 30% over the last 10 years, but more clearly needs to be done. We are pleased at the response the competition received, with people making sure to pull out their cameras whenever they saw dangerous ladder use, but it is also a worrying sign of how common this kind of unsafe activity is.”

38 pictures were submitted throughout the contest from around the globe, with one picture of a ladder perched precariously on an unsafe mobile access tower being traced back to Mexico. While it is already known that falls from height are the number one cause of death at work, the number and variety of the pictures are startling evidence that dangerous ladder use is occurring daily. With the competition now over, the completed Idiots on Ladders album can be found on the Ladder Association Facebook page here.

Some of the window cleaning entrants of "biggest idiot on a ladder"...

 

Clickable links...

Ladder Falls: Even The Most Experienced Can Fall

Window Cleaners Star In: Ladders, Tables & Death Wishes  

Is Cleaning a Window Worth Your Life?

Protect Your Brain - More Ladder Falls

DeathWish: HomeOwners Clean Their Own Windows

Window Cleaner, 71, Dies In Ladder Fall

Hindmarch Drive, Boldon.

Window cleaner, 71, dies in ladder fall: Tributes have been paid to a window cleaner who died while on his round. Robert Veater, 71, of Durham Road, Sunderland, was killed after falling from a ladder when working on a house in Hindmarch Drive, West Boldon. Mr Veater, a dad-of-three and grandad-of-five was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital after the fall but died of his injuries. Mr Veater’s family told the Echo they were too upset to speak about the tragedy. Stunned neighbours today told of their shock at his death. Mark Spinks, who lives just doors away from the house where the accident happened, said: “It was horrific.”

The 30-year-old, who lives with partner Sherry Alderson, 29, said: “We heard the ambulance and the police cars and went outside to see what had happened. “He was just lying on the ground. It was horrific. Mr Spinks, dad to Mark, eight, and Katie, two, added: “He was only trying to make an honest living and for that to happen is terrible.” Pat Saunders, of Hardie Drive, in West Boldon, said Mr Veater would be hugely missed by residents.

The 66-year-old, whose windows had been cleaned by Mr Veater for the past 30 years, said: “Bob’s death has got everybody round here really upset. “He was absolutely great. “He’d seen all of my kids grow up and me grandkids too. “He had been amazing over the years. “He was lovely to everyone and with there being a lot of older people where we live he was very pally with them.”

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “At 10.23am on November 8 police received a report from the Ambulance Service of an injured man at Hindmarch Drive, in Boldon. “Officers attended and a 71-year-old man was taken to South Tyneside Hospital where he subsequently died. “A report has been prepared for the coroner.” An inquest by South Tyneside coroner Terence Carney into Mr Veater’s death has been opened and adjourned. Mr Veater’s funeral takes place tomorrow at 11.30am at Sunderland Crematorium.

This is what the locals think of window cleaners.
Also see 72 Year Old Window Cleaner Falls To His Death.

The New Little Giant Xtreme Multi-Use Ladder

I know these are enormously popular in the USA with window cleaners. My equivalent basically gets used full time as a work bench. Here is the detail from the website...

Additional Resources: Facebook, twitter, YouTube. Little Giant Ladder Systems, Inc. manufactures and distributes superior-quality climbing products to discerning homeowners and professionals throughout the world. The company’s growing family of consumer brands includes Little Giant Ladders®, Little Giant Xtreme™,SumoStance™, Select Step™, Lunar™ and MicroBurst™.

New Little Giant Xtreme™ Multi-Use Ladder Unveiled - Flagship of Entire Product Line: 40 Years of Engineering Results in Safest, Strongest, Most Versatile Ladder in the World Springville, Utah, September 12, 2011

Little Giant Ladder Systems®, maker of the original articulating ladder, unveiled today the new Little Giant Xtreme™ multi-use ladder—the result of 40 years of innovative engineering. Versatile and easy to use in multiple positions and heights, the Little Giant Xtreme easily converts to a stable, wide-flared extension ladder, a multiple-height A-frame stepladder, a 90-degree ladder, a staircase ladder, and a time-saving trestle-and-plank scaffolding system.

Now the flagship of the Little Giant Ladder Systems product line, the lightweight Little Giant Xtreme is easy to handle and adjust for projects around the house or on the job. View the Little Giant Xtreme video at: www.LittleGiantXtreme.com

“Little Giant has pushed the envelope again to create the safest, strongest and most versatile ladder in the world,” said H. Arthur Wing, President. “The Little Giant Xtreme is the pinnacle of the ladder industry—it boasts several new patents and innovations that will help people get their jobs done faster and safer. Even though the new Little Giant Xtreme ladder improves on the original Little Giant Ladder in so many ways, it is available for the same price as the original.” DIY homeowners, general contractors, painters, window cleaners, facility maintenance professionals, landscapers and home decorators are among the many people who will now be able to use the right ladder for the right job every time.

What is the Little Giant Xtreme™ ladder?   

The Little Giant Little Xtreme is the safest, strongest, and most versatile ladder in the world. As the new flagship product of Little Giant Ladder Systems, it boasts several new patents and innovations that will help people get their jobs done faster and safer.

What makes the Little Giant Xtreme ladder unique?    

Versatile and easy to use in multiple positions and heights, the Little Giant Xtreme easily converts to a stable, wide-flared extension ladder, a multiple-height A-frame stepladder, a 90-degree ladder, a staircase ladder, and a time-saving trestle-and-plank scaffolding system. Forty years of innovative engineering has made the Little Giant Xtreme the finest ladder in the world.

Who should purchase a Little Giant Xtreme ladder?

DIY homeowners, general contractors, painters, HVAC specialists, window cleaners, facility maintenance professionals, roofing contractors, landscapers and home decorators are among the many people who will now be able to use the right ladder for the job every time and feel safe and secure.

How much weight does the Little Giant Xtreme ladder hold?    

The Little Giant Xtreme meets or exceeds OSHA and ANSI standards. It is rated to hold 300 lbs. as an extension ladder and as a two-sided, two-person ladder.

What models are available?    

The Little Giant Xtreme ladder is currently available in a 17- and 22-foot model. A 26-foot model is forthcoming.

How much does the Little Giant Xtreme ladder weigh?    

Exclusive aerospace-grade aluminum alloys, commonly used in military aircraft, make the Little Giant Xtreme lighter than any comparable multi-use ladder on the market. The 17-foot model weighs 34.5 lbs. and the 22-foot model weighs 41.5 lbs.

Do I have to pay sales tax?    

Sales tax is charged only on orders shipped to Utah at: 6.85%.

Do I have to pay Shipping & Handling?    

No, not in the contiguous 48 states (AK, HI or PR will pay additional shipping & Handling charges).

How is the Little Giant Xtreme shipped?

Standard shipping is FedEx ground (please allow 10-15 days for delivery), unless 2nd day shipping is purchased then it is shipped 2-day FedEx Express.

What is the AirDeck™ workstation?

The AirDeck™ workstation includes a magnetized utility tray and safety handrail so the user has a secure handhold at the top of the ladder.

What is the price of the Little Giant Xtreme?

Even though the new Little Giant Xtreme improves on the original Little Giant Ladder in so many ways, it is available for the same price as the original. The 17-foot model has an infomercial price of $359.80 and the 22-foot model is $399.96.

Little Giant Xtreme Comparisons:     Model 17    Model 22

Weight capacity:                                  300-lbs.    300-lbs.

Ladder weight:                                    34.5 lbs.    41.5 lbs.

Min extension height:                                    9'    11'

Max extension height:                                 15'    19'

Min A-frame height:                                      4'    5'

Max. A-frame height:                                    7'    9'

Storage height:                                           4'7"    5'7"

Max scaffolding height:                                 3'    3'

Max workbench height:                                 4'    5'

Width at base:                                         24.50"    27.50"

Warranty:                                             Lifetime    Lifetime

Price:                                                    $359.80    $399.96

Shipping:                                                 Free *    Free *

* In contiguous US only

What's New?   

Redesigned MAG4™ Hinge

Adding even more stability to the world's safest ladder wasn't easy. But the revolutionary MAG4™ hinge system does just that. The MAG4™ hinge locks into place with 4 pins instead of 2 for increased stability and overall safety.

   

Rock Locks™

The Little Giant Xtreme features a redesigned Rock Lock™ system that makes adjusting your ladder quick and easy. Simply push the lock to release, adjust the ladder, then tap to lock. It's simple, fast and safe.

   

50% Wider Rungs

Guarantee Superior Foot Support.

   

New AirDeck™ Handrail & Workstation

Provides a Portable Workbench for tools and materials and a safety handrail for extra stability.

   

New Tip & Glide™ Wheels

Makes for Easy Transport.

   

Built in Comfort Step™

Feel Comfortable Standing at Any Height.

What's the Same?

Safety

The Little Giant Xtreme is designed to be the safest ladder on the planet. Since it's adjustable, the Little Giant Xtreme can be used safely on stairs, ramps, curbs, docks or other uneven surfaces.

Strength

The Little Giant Xtreme is made using  the very same material used in aerospace construction. So it's ultra-strong while remaining light and portable.

Versatility

Independent tests prove the Little Giant Xtreme will replace 60-70% of all portable ladders currently being manufactured.

When you buy a Little Giant Xtreme from Little Giant, you're not just getting one ladder. You're getting 24 different ladders combined to make the world's most versatile ladder system.