Window Cleaning Courses Making An Impact

Impact 43 is a leading provider of Window Cleaning training.

SOUTHAMPTON WINDOW CLEANERS SET THE BAR: Cleaners taking the QCF Level 2 Window Cleaning Course in Southampton have set the standard for 2011, says Andy Willis. It’s been a busy but rewarding time for Andy Willis of IMPACT43, who has been in Southampton steering two enthusiastic groups of window cleaners through the QCF Level 2 Window Cleaning Course. “I’ve been so impressed with the calibre of the candidates who are now attending these courses,” said Andy. “They’re really setting the standard for 2011. Most of them have substantial practical experience, but even so they’re very keen to develop further.

Course members have been following in the footsteps of Southampton-based Progress Cleaning Services, who were awarded Window Cleaners of the Year prizes in 2009. Companies attending have included: Dall Cleaning Partnership, CSS Window Cleaning, Hi-Glass Window Cleaning, and AWS Pitcher and Co.

Director Lloyd Dall of Dall Partnership, which operates throughout Southampton and Portsmouth but also covers London and other key towns and cities, said: ‘I have been in the window cleaning industry for twenty years now and times really have changed. Here at Dall we’re aware that property owners are starting to specify qualifications when they recruit. In particular, they want window cleaners who have a QCF Level 2 Qualification, so for us it’s a must that all our guys should attend a recognised course and achieve this important professional training and certification.

Director Kevin Robson from Progress Cleaning Services recommended the course to Lloyd, and he is glad he took Kevin’s advice. ‘I attended the course myself,’ said Lloyd, ‘along with director Michael and two of our window cleaners. We all thought it was excellent.’

This week the latest QCF Level 2 Qualifications and certificates have started arriving on candidates’ desks. The QCF Qualification (formally NVQ) is provided by South Thames College and their appointed service partner, IMPACT43. A recognised industry qualification for commercial/domestic window cleaners that operates right across the country, the QCF provides an exciting professional opportunity for window cleaners. Fast being adopted by managing agents, it covers all aspects of the business, including:

·      The Delivery of Customer Services

·      Effective Communication

·      How to work as a sole trader or as a Team

·      Preparing Hazard and Risk Assessments

·      Working at Height Considerations, covers flat roof access and water fed pole hazards

·      Effective Cleaning of all types of Glazed Facades

·      Safe operation of the latest Water Fed Pole Equipment

Candidates taking the QCF course attend four training workshops over four months – one day each month – and also undergo five practical assessments.

1.     Completing a hazard and risk assessment

2.     Setting up a works area control

3.     Traditional hand tools

4.     Selection inspection and safe use of ladders

5.     Water fed pole, setting up and using poles safely

Andrew Willis of IMPACT43 says: ‘Our candidates have worked really hard, and it’s a pleasure to see them now promoting their awareness of training and certification to their clients.’

In a recent press release, David Morris (a former City and Guilds candidate) from David Morris Window Cleaning said: ‘These days more and more building owners want to know about staff training. They ask what credentials you have, and I think that’s a good thing. In my opinion, every window cleaning company has a moral duty to train staff to the highest possible level, especially in matters relating to Health and Safety. No longer can you send people out to work with no training - not if you want to be taken seriously and build a reputation as a Health and Safety conscious business.’

Andrew was also pleased to receive the following email from Paul Delaney of Inside Out, one of last year’s QCF award winners. Paul, who won Newcomer of the Year, wrote:

Paul Delaney of "Inside Out," receives his award.

‘Many thanks for all your hard work in putting the course over. Your presentation with the personal experiences made it really worthwhile, so thanks. The main reason for this email is to offer congratulations on your brilliant article in Cleaning and Hygiene Today (CHT Magazine) and your comments about the FWC

Some time ago the Federation sent out a questionnaire asking 'what do we need to do?' My response was: 'Do more to change the public’s image of the window cleaner'. There was no feedback, which I expected, so you can imagine how pleased I was to see that you appreciate the need to get us over as professionals: people who undergo training and use the latest equipment safely to produce the best results.

 

Tim Wibrew said: ‘A couple of days after receiving my award at Windex I was completing a tender presentation for a large facilities company. I was amazed when a key person on the evaluation panel told me she had attended the awards and seen me pick up QCF Window Cleaning Manager of the Year. I thought that was good timing! And it just goes to show - you never know who might be in the audience at these awards.’

Contact details for courses:

David Willis of Impact43

Enterprise House, Unit 17 & 17a Redstone Industrial Estate

Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 8EA, UK

Tel: (01205) 364333

Fax: (01205) 205300

Mob: 07984 365917

Email: david.willis@impact43.com

Web: www.training43.com

Window Cleaning Guideline After Volcanic Eruptions

All flights are grounded as volcanic ash blankets UK: The first signs of disruption emerged in the early hours yesterday when ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull (ay-yah-FYAH'-plah-yer-kuh-duhl) volcano began to move towards the north of Scotland. Soon, officials from airports across the country were being woken from their beds as crisis management teams prepared to react to the unprecedented decision to close the UK’s airspace. Shortly after 4am, the three main airports in Scotland were closed and by mid-morning the sky above Britain had been turned into a no-fly zone.

Volcanic Ash: The eruptions of volcanoes, that release large quantities of ash in the atmosphere can create unusual cleaning problems. Volcanoes that are known to be active and emit ash are found throughout the world. Certain precautions must be taken when removing the ash because of its abrasive nature.

Volcanic ash is a very fine, gritty substance, very much like tiny glass splinters. Since no weathering has taken place, the fragments, no matter how small, are very sharp. The size of the particles depends on the density and intensity of the eruption. Places closest to a volcano receive larger particles than other areas that are farther away.

When rubbed against a smooth surface, volcanic ash acts like fine sandpaper. The ash will scratch glass, furniture and metallic surfaces; it can also harm paper and textile materials. No noticeable acidity or alkalinity was detected in ash from Mount Saint Helens in a pH test. The ash was found to be insoluble in water and other solvents. When water was mixed with ash and then allowed to dry, the ash residue tended to harden into a cement-like substance.

The ash should be removed by vacuuming. A conventional vacuum cleaner may be used, but it is possible that the fine ash might penetrate the filter bag, get into the motor, or be exhausted back into the room. A vacuum cleaner using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or a water filtering system will not have this problem. Change the bags and clean the filters often. If the water type vacuum cleaner is used, the water should be changed frequently to prevent ash buildup in the filter. These objects should be vacuumed using the above procedure. Care must be taken not to rub the brush against the glass.



Health Risks:

Ash may cause skin irritation, eye abrasions and breathing problems. Infants, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments will be most affected by the ash. But employees who must work outdoors or must clean up ash should take extra precautions.
Avoid breathing in ash.
Use a “dust mask” when outdoors. A respirator rated as n-95 should provide adequate protection and are generally available.
Prevent ash from getting into the eye.
Use snug fitting goggles when outdoors.
Rinse immediately with copious amounts of fresh, tepid water if ash gets into the eye.
Avoid prolonged skin contact with ash or clothing or items covered by ash.
When outdoors wear clothing that covers arms and legs.
Wear gloves and foot wear that prevents ash from settling inside the shoe or boot.
Use head gear to protect the neck and as much of the face as possible.
Clean the clothing periodically to prevent ash load build-up.
Clean the skin with fresh water to remove ash.

Injury Hazard:

Low light, reduced visibility, slippery surfaces and lightning can all lead to serious physical injury. Ash is extremely slippery when wet.
Prevent slips and falls.
Wear footwear appropriate to conditions.
Dry sweep walk ways as soon as possible.
In low light conditions, turn on outdoor lighting.
Drive with extra care.
Use headlights. Reduce speed. Leave extra stopping distance.
Leave extra time for travel.
Ash may seriously scratch the windshield and reduce visibility. Gently dust ash build-up off surfaces. Avoid rubbing. If possible, before running windshield wipers, use a hose, vacuum or air to remove ash. If using air to blow off surfaces, wear eye protection.
If you work outdoors during an ash fall be aware that lightning can accompany an ash fall.

Risk to Property:

Ash is gritty and abrasive. It can abrade metal. Wet ash can corrode metal if not cleaned. It may jam machinery, clog ventilation filters and drains and contaminate water supplies. In addition to the increased threat of lightning strikes, heavy ash causes electrical short circuits. Power outages should be expected during and after ash fall.

Accumulated ash may pose a risk to structural integrity of a building. The weight of ash can cause roofs to collapse. A one-inch layer of dry ash weighs 5-10 pounds per square foot. Weight increases to 10-15 pounds per square foot when wet.



Travel During or After:

If you must travel long distances be prepared. In addition to regular emergency supplies, add:
Dust masks and eye protection.
Extra air and oil filters and extra oil.
Extra windshield wiper blades and windshield washer fluid.
Cell phone with extra battery. Emergency phone numbers.
Only continue driving if the vehicle can be driven safely. Windshield wipers should only be used if necessary in order to drive safely, as this will scratch the windshield. If employees need to use a rag, towel, paper towel, etc. to remove the ash, they should blot rather than wipe off the ash. As soon as possible, go to a service station or car wash to remove the ash with air, vacuum, or water spray.

More general tips here.

Is Cleaning a Window Worth Your Life?

The online "building magazine" provides this Sundays viewing with some unbelievable examples of window cleaners with no respect for health & safety or people around them. Although the examples on the website deals mainly with construction working errors, many of the examples are of bad window cleaning practice.

The new Spiderman movie... will probably not, on balance, look much like this. Peter Whitbread captures this example of extreme window cleaning. That man is clearly on the lookout for trouble.

Fact: window cleaners will fall through skylight windows however gingerly they tread across the glass. Hornagold & Hills's director Henry Lamb spotted these "two herberts" cleaning the basement skylights outside his office window in Waterhouse Square, London.

Toes like talons: The only way is down when you've reach the heady heights of a safety blunder of this calibre. Thanks to Gordon Paterson who sent in these snaps. He wrote: "This is a window cleaner we witnessed climbing out a window six stories from the ground in the centre of Edinburgh. There was no evidence of him clipping on and no signs of any harness. The ground to roof ridge height in a similar building we were surveying was in the region of 23 meters!"

Window cleaner shopped: Never has shopping for spectacles been so potentially dangerous. Spotted by John Williams in Prague.

From ledge to hedge: This blunder is more impressive when you consider the window has been shut behind him. The the man rubbing down his windows in Muswell Hill, London was spotted by Matt Cayton.

Paul Shilling of Cluttons sent this photo of “window cleaners opposite our office”. But hang on, this looks more like a cleverly planned heist to us. Criminal mastermind No 1 is already halfway across the ledge. Criminal mastermind No 2 is taking a bit longer to make his escape, presumably because of the bulging swag bag he’s about to heave out of the window.

Don't worry, that bollard will break my fall. More daredevil window cleaning antics. Location: Cheadle Hume, Cheshire.

On the precipice: A cleaner on the Talgarth Road gets caught on the wrong side of a sash window. Picture taken in West London by George Long.

Extreme window cleaning: This chap seems to want to live on the edge or perhaps he hasn't realised he's just a few inches from disaster. Thanks to Richard Burgess for this photo. He says this "window cleaner on the first floor window ledge about 15ft off the ground in Jermyn Street London, opposite our office. "He obviously has no regard of where he is or an issue with heights."

Multi-tasking? The man on the van seems more interested in what's on the other end of his phone. David Durrant sent this picture to Building from the Algarve in Portugal.

Cleaning... calling... falling? This window cleaner must suffer from the opposite of vertigo. Invertigo? Spotted by Mark Eardley on a trip to Bristol. "Our intrepid window cleaner has put aside all safety protection such as long pole cleaners, safety harnesses or any other PPE to a clean this third storey window. The PPE would have not been of much use should he have slipped and become impaled on the spiked railings approximately 10m below!"

Cleaning with soul: The grip on a dirty sneaker is all that's keeping this window cleaner from the pavement below.

Get a grip! Taking your sandals off so you can get a firm grip on the top edge of the stepladder with your toes doesn't really count as proper safety procedure, we suspect. Having lunch in Dubai, Cor Benjamin spotted this worker cleaning bird excrement from the lamp posts. "His ladder wasn't quite high enough," comments Cor – well, apparently it is, if you count the very top edge of the stepladder and (of course) leave your sandals at the bottom.

This London window cleaner spotted working several storeys up without any safety equipment is obviously no vertigo sufferer. A Burgess, who took this snap, was less sanguine about such foolhardy working practices: “Cleaning windows earlier this week on fourth-floor building in Mayfair with no harness, PPE – nothing!” he remarked in horror.

Definitely not a safe bet: As this chap is clearly a gambling man, it's handy that there's a betting shop just below. Then when he's finished gambling with his life, he can go and have a little flutter on the horses for light relief. Thanks to QS Adam Ball for spotting this window cleaner working above central Manchester's busy Portland Road with, as he points out, “no harness or head protection” - and clearly no sense, either.

Standing in the gutter is handy – if hardly safe – for cleaning that particular storey, but how's he going to do the next one up? David Johnston was most alarmed to glimpse this windowcleaner through the window of his central-London hotel. "He spent about 20 minutes outside on the narrow ledge oblivious to any risk; no doubt he will be back in a couple of months to clean them again – I just hope I am not there to witness it should he fall."

Kevin Sansbury was admiring the Flatiron building in New York when he spotted this chap appreciating the view. But surely it’s just as impressive from inside the building?

Crouching tiger, hidden drop: Actually not such a hidden drop – a blatantly obvious three-storey drop – and not a tiger at all, but a rather reckless window cleaner. This window cleaner was spotted three storeys up at a building in central London, on the corner of Coleman Street and Basinghall Avenue.


Klingon spotted in the West End: Sorry, we meant 'cling-on'. Oh, and did we mention the spiky wrought-iron railings three storeys beneath, and the rain? Since this chap apparently requires all four limbs to cling to the window frame, we are rather wondering with what appendage he is planning to clean the glass. Perhaps he could lick it clean?