Back to ladders due to drought? HSE issues advice to window cleaners

E061:06 15 May 2006

"If you decide to go back to using ladders and a bucket for window cleaning during a drought, remember to make sure you have assessed all the risks."

This is the message from Dr Elizabeth Gibby, Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Director of Injury Reduction Programme, in response to questions from the window cleaning industry clarifying how the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) apply to window cleaners in any areas where water companies operate Drought Orders.

The WAHR, which came into force on 6 April 2005, introduce a simple hierarchy of risk management and equipment selection. The first step is to avoid work at height where reasonably practicable; changes in the industry in recent years have encouraged window cleaners to adopt waterfed pole systems.

Some water companies in the South of England are now seeking to restrict the non-essential use of water in their areas, including the cleaning of windows by hosepipes and other similar apparatus - which could include waterfed poles.

Considering the possible impact of Drought Orders, Dr Elizabeth Gibby, said,

"Our approach to the application of the WAHR remains unchanged. Should water restrictions effectively ban the use of waterfed poles and it is not reasonably practicable to clean windows other than at height, HSE will expect window cleaners to apply the WAHR hierarchy in selecting appropriate equipment and managing risks arising from work at height.

This may mean, that for the duration of any ban, some window cleaners will return to using moveable ladders. In these circumstances I would urge them to become re-acquainted with the risks, and take the necessary precautionary action."

Dr Gibby added, "In applying WAHR to window cleaning during a drought we need to adopt a pragmatic and practical approach enabling the industry to use alternative equipment in pursuing their business. The nature of the WAHR provide the flexibility to do this"

"Workplace falls from height are the biggest cause of fatal injuries. There were 53 deaths in 2004/05 and nearly 3800 major injuries. Many of these injuries could have been prevented if sensible measures had been taken."

Notes to editors

1. Between 1999/2000 to 2003/04 6 window cleaners have died falling from ladders and 56 have suffered major injuries.

2. "Safe use of Ladders and Stepladders: an employers' guide" is available on HSE's website at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg402.pdf

3. There is more information on falls from height at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

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