More industry events!

You already know about the HUGE convention and what a tremendous opportunity it is to network, learn and grow your business. If you haven't heard about it click here to get in the know. It will be filled with the industry's best classes and seminars as well as a killer tradeshow.

There are a few other industry events in the area you may want to check out. Check out a general synopsis here or read about the most anticipated events below:

1. Jack Kramers Famous Pressure Washing Class

Whether you are new to the pressure washing or roof cleaning industry, want help with cleaning more efficiently, or have employees in need of training, Jack Kramer’s pressure washing class is essential. The class will be on August 11 in National Harbor, Maryland, right before the convention. 

Participants will learn:

• What equipment will best fit your needs – including pressure washers (both hot and cold), GPM, PSI, unloaders, guns, hoses, nozzles, chemical applicators, tanks, and much more

• How to work safely and efficiently

• How to price your job for profit

• Proven methods for washing houses, roofing, and commercial properties– and more! 

Learn more or sign up here.

2. Jeff Scotts High Rise and Safety Class

Jeff Scott of Safety Green Training will offer a High Rise Rope Access / RDS Training class on August 10 through 11 in National Harbor, Maryland, right before the kickoff of the Huge Convention. It will include two full days of training starting at 8 a.m. 

Day one is in the classroom training and will cover the following:

• Management of Safety Equipment in Industry.

• Defining differences and needs for Qualified, Competent, and Authorized Persons.

• Equipment familiarization and inspection for Harnesses, Helmets, Descenders, Fall Arrest Rope Grabs, lanyards and Energy Absorbers, Carabiners, Ropes.

• Fall Factors.

• Personal Fall Protection to include Fall Restraint, Fall Arrest, Work Positioning, Rope Access.

• Knots to include: Figure of 8 on a bight, Figure of 8 Follow Through, Figure of 9 on a bight, Alpine Butterfly, Double Figure of 8 on a bight, Double Fisherman, and Barrel Knot.

• When to use each and how much each weakens the rope.

• Legislation

• Job Hazard Analysis & Work Plans.

• Rigging & Rigging Theory.

Day two provides hands-on training and will cover the following:

• Properly donning your equipment.

• Rigging.

• Mitigating Pinch points and how to properly access your Seat Board.

• Standard Work Procedure and Motion.

• Self Rescue.

• Pick off Rescue of an incapacitated worker.

 Learn more or sign up here.

Please note that a general admission convention ticket does not include these separate off-site events. But these events do come highly recommended as reputable and worth while.

Scottish Window Cleaning License Clampdown

Licences are approved and issued by the council while Police Scotland conducts background checks on applicants.

West Fifers warned after four window cleaners are charged: West Fifers have been warned after four people were charged for operating as window cleaners without licences. Fife Council took enforcement action against the four after a complaint was made bout unlicensed window cleaners operating in the West Fife area.

Councillor Bob Young, chair of the regulation and licensing committee, explained, “We place a lot of trust in those we employ to carry out work at our homes. "They are often working while we are away so it’s very important that they are fully trustworthy. “Our enforcement officer recently took action against four individuals in West Fife who were charged by police for operating as window cleaners without licences.

We will continue to work closely with Police Scotland and other agencies in the coming months to ensure the public are protected from any unlicensed traders.” West Fifers are now being urged to be wary of unlicensed window cleaners operating across Fife. The council is highlighting the risks of employing people who are unlicensed and is encouraging householders and businesses to look at their window cleaner’s licence.

Licences are approved and issued by the council while Police Scotland conducts background checks on applicants. To protect householders and in case of accidents, it is a condition of holding a licence that window cleaners have adequate public liability insurance. They are also required to carry their licence ID at all times. A council spokeswoman said, “Window cleaners, as part of their application for a licence, must show that they have public liability insurance to cover them while operating. "When you are checking a licence it should have a photograph of the holder, the Fife Council logo and a hologram along with dates of its validity.”

Beware of unlicensed window cleaners: FIFE Council is asking people in the Cowdenbeath - Lochgelly area to be aware of any unlicensed window cleaners operating across the Kingdom. The Council is highlighting the risks of employing people who are unlicensed and is encouraging householders and businesses to look at their window cleaner’s licence. Licences are approved and issued by Fife Council and Police Scotland, conducts background checks on the applicants.

To protect householders and in case of accidents, it is a condition of holding a licence that window cleaners have adequate public liability insurance. They are also required to carry their licence ID at all times. Councillor Bob Young, chair of the Regulation and Licensing committee explained, “We place a lot of trust in those we employ to carry out work at our homes. “They are often working while we are away so it’s very important that they are fully trustworthy. Our enforcement officer recently took action against four individuals in West Fife who were charged by police for operating as window cleaners without licences. “We will continue to work closely with Police Scotland and other agencies in the coming months to ensure the public are protected from any unlicensed traders.”

Fife Council issues licences for a number of business sectors to keep the public safe and to make sure the right people are providing services safely to the public. These include Taxi Driver Licences, Street Traders, Second Hand Dealers, Skin Piercing and Tattooing and Charitable Collections.

The Scottish Licensed Window Cleaners Network (SLWCN) was launched on the 1st March 2006. We are an independently run, self-funding, internet-based network. The SLWCN is dedicated to raising the profile and standard of the window cleaning industry in Scotland. 

Wagtail At ISSA Interclean With New Tools

Does your squeegee wag you? Or does your squeegee do the work for you?

Wagtail pivotal cleaning tools, sadly weren't at the ISSA Interclean in Amsterdam this week - opting to show their new tools later on this year at the Chicago ISSA Interclean from October 16-19, 2012. But it doesn't mean they haven't got anything going on in the Wagtail factory! Opting for the US venue this year will help Wagtail window cleaning tools secure their leading position as one of the top products for window cleaners in North America as it already has in Europe. Most window cleaners in the know already have a few wagtails in their armory so they can finish their work with more detail & up to 70% quicker than a standard squeegee. 

The all new Wagtail 15º cone tip. Click to enlarge.

An all new Wagtail squeegee will be brought out shortly for all window cleaners, that is being kept tightly under wraps - probably not released until the Chicago show. Also a new pole & an offset cone tip was shown off to members of the Wagtail Squeegee Network for the last couple of weeks before it was released in general on the WWW. The Wagtail Squeegee Network is a new closed facebook group that gives you all the latest news for Wagtail users or people who have just bought one & need advise on getting the best out of their Wagtail squeegee. So if you haven't joined, sign up & ask for your early morning work or late night working free "squeegee torch" shown below.

The new Wagtail pole has a unique action of being extended from the base & can be altered as you work down the window as opposed to the standard pole that has you locking off to the correct height to begin with & gives you problems on the way down to the ground due it's limitations. The new off-set angle tip will give you a 15º angle away from the window or a 15º angle towards the window allowing a cranking action down to the base of the window allowing you to clean deep ledges. Willie, easily explains the new pole & tip in the video below.

Some high rise window cleaners swear by Wagtail squeegees. Check out Levi Webb's collection below.

Levi's collection of Wagtails, click to enlarge.

Check out more Wagtail posts here. Comparing the "Wagtail Combi" speed-test video below.