Home Shop Online Benefits Show Information Location Contact Us
Home
Join the Federation
Corporate Membership
Health and Safety
Links
Search Website
For Sale - Rounds & Equipment
Liability Insurance Scheme
Code of Good Practice
Window Talk Trade Journal
Federation News
Download Logos
  Members only Area - Safety Guidance Documents &   Tender Opportunities

 

     

 

 
Federation News.....
Wednesday 25th December 2012 In order to improve on the current HSE Cleaning Website the HSE is conducting an online survey. This is just a short survey - 7 questions- and will take only minutes to complete.  This can be found on the Cleaning homepage - left hand side of page http://www.hse.gov.uk/cleaning/index.htm - 'Make This site better
 
Tuesday 20th December 2011-The British Cleaning Council has urged healthcare managers to focus on hygiene after an outbreak of nirovirus struck at hospitals across the UK.              Click Here   for more information.
 
Monday 12th December 2011 -The Cleaning and Support Services Association has welcomed the announcement of the implementation of a visa check system that will allow employers them to verify migrants’ visa status online. CLICK HERE for more information.
 

Thursday 22nd November 2011 - "The Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC) is pleased to announce forming a Strategic Alliance with the International Window Cleaning Association(IWCA) based in the USA  and the the Australian Window Cleaning Federation (AWCF) based in Australia. The immediate goals of this Alliance are: 1) to document and promote accurate technical information related to window/glass cleaning; 2) to develop a written ASTM glass cleaning Standard to be used worldwide; 3) to establish working relationships with glass fabricators and manufacturers within the international glass industry; and 4) to advance scientific research on the causes of tempered glass scratching and improvements in cleaning methods.

For additional information please visit www.IWCA.org; www.f-w-c.co.uk/; or www.awcf.org.au"

 
Thursday 17th November 2011- OCS is proud to congratulate Frank Stevens who has worked with the company for 50 years as a window cleaner. Click Here for more
 
Monday 24th October 2011 - Campaign group ‘We need the Loo, an online petition to ask the Government to make adequate public toilet provision a legal requirement. - Click Here for More information about this on-Line petition.
 
Wednesday 5th October 2011 - Website design company celebrates 15 years -  In October 1996 two entrepreneurs formed a partnership that over the next 15 years would develop into SiteWizard.co.uk, one of the most recommended website design companies in the UK. Click Here  for more information.
 
Friday 30th September 2011 - Employment opportunity - Central London area - Imediate start - Requirements: Irata level 2/3 good window cleaner with driving licence.  Call Colin on: 07976 255403
Friday 23rd September 2011- Emission Standards are changing!... From January the LEZ standards are tightening, and drivers will need to ensure their vehicle adheres to the new emissions standards to enter the London area, or will face daily fees or penalty fines. Click Here  for more information.
 
Friday 16th September 2011 - Funding offer for technical certificates
Government funding is available for facilities management and cleaning employers to put staff through training for the following technical certificates: Click Here for more
 

Monday 12th September 2011 - Businesses are being reminded about new incident reporting arrangements being introduced from today Click Here for more

 
Friday 8th August 2011- Window Cleaners training courses - Click Here for more
 

Friday 15th April - latest e-Bulletin from the Slips, Trips and Falls from Height Team Slips, trips and falls from height can all have serious consequences. Everyone can do more to ensure their workplace becomes a safer environment. The effects of slips, trips and falls at work are far reaching, both for those involved, their families and the industries they work in. The cost to society alone is in the order of £800 million a year.   In the health and social care sector, there were over 1600 major injuries to employees during 2009/10(p) as a result of a slip or trip at work  Use the HSE slip and trip hazard-spotting checklist to see what improvements you can make http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/hazardchecklist.pdf 

 

Friday 8th April 2011 - Funded places for new team leader qualification -Act fast or miss out  Asset Skills has a number of places available on a new qualification for the cleaning industry. The new Certificate in Cleaning Supervision is a level 3 qualification for team leaders in the industry. It is the first qualification in the UK to combine higher level cleaning knowledge with the development of management skills. Employers wishing to pilot this new qualification can receive 50% funding from the Skills Funding Agency towards its cost.

The funding is available for a limited period only under the government-funded Joint Investment Programme. It is the first time that money has been available for a higher level technical qualification specifically for the cleaning industry. Places are available throughout England and preference will be given to employers who can provide a group of candidates.

Places are on a first come first served basis and the funding is available for a limited period only. Candidates would ideally be ready to start by the end April.

To find out more about the qualifications and how to access the funding, please contact ukacademy@assetskills.org or phone 0844 822 2525.

 

Friday 11th March 2011  We hereby give notice that the Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Window Cleaners is to be held on Monday 4th April 2011in the Boardroom Summerfield House, Harrogate Road, Reddish, Stockport SK5 6HQ.  Commencing at 2.00 pm.  To assist in formulating the agenda would members please forward your proposals in writing to the office by 30th March.  Also, to confirm your attendance.

 

Wednesday 7th July 2010 - Warning to everyone - A Magazine for Crime Prevention are currently looking for advertisers to go in their annual magazine - this is a SCAM....Do not part with any money.  Should you receive a call from them - refer them to the police and If possible warn off your friends/customers. 

 

Monday 21st June 2010 - SALES - Waterfed poles and associated accessories, including Dowex Resin now available at very competitive prices from the Federation of Window Cleaners -  Click Here  To see our online store.   or Click Here  to view our catalogue

 

Thursday 11th February 2010 Chemical Compliance Campaign within the Environment Agency, which regulates part of EC Regulation 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/36732.aspx  are running a compliance campaign over the next few months which is aimed at assessing industry compliance with the restriction and taking enforcement action for any non-compliance. We will be targeting companies that produce or distribute textile protection products / waterproofers or cleaning products that could contain PFOS. We also aim to raise awareness of the restriction through relevant organisations such as trade associations and other professional bodies. C;ick  Here  for BCC Briefing

 

Friday 9th October 2009 -Terry Turbo Burrows breaks his own Word Record in just 9.14 seconds at the 2009 FWC Window Cleaning Competition in Blackpool, Lancashire.  Terry left just two water smears on the three 45" square windows, which resulted in adding a one second penalty point to his original time of 8.14 seconds to make 9.14 seconds - Well done Terry!! Click Here  for the BBC News report & video

 

Tuesday 14th July 2009 - FWC Cleaning Windows Safely IOSH accredited training courses covering both the use of portable ladders and WaterFed Pole Systems.  Written by window cleaners for window cleaners. Forthcoming registration dates 17th September for London - 21st August -2nd October for Wales and 8th October for Blackpool  Click Here for more information these training courses

 

Monday 23rd June 2008 - An excellent Course and very well presented... This is Just one of the comments following the FWC's first IOSH "Cleaning Windows Safely" Course that was delivered at their premises in Stockport on Monday.   Click Here for more information about these courses

Monday26th November 2007 - Back to Ladders due to Drought? HSE issued advice to Window Cleaners Click Here  for more information.  

 

Monday 22nd October 2007- Government proposal to update the 62-year-old drought legislation, which only restricts the use of hosepipes for watering gardens and washing cars.  The new law would allow water companies to enforce a "discretionary use" ban, outlawing virtually all domestic activities involving hosepipes.  Water-fed poles would be covered by a hosepipe ban under the law, however, a spokesman for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs  confirmed that window cleaners could still revert to a bucket and sponge"  Click Here for more information

 

Friday 23rd March 2007 - Consultation on proposed changes to powers to restrict non-essential uses of water Click Here for more information

1st January 2007 - Trade Association celebrates 60 years! Founded in November 1947 by Albert Townsend Senior. The Federation of Window Cleaners has come a long way since it was established.  Click here for more on this.

 

25th October 2006 - Scotland Licensing Meeting -The Federation arranged a meeting in Edinburgh on Saturday 4th November to discuss the various unfair Licensing problems and the way forward on this issue.  Click here for more information on the meeting

 

1st September 2006 - News Release - Drought Order Withdrawn! Thames Water withdraws application for London Drought Order - Customer savings helped to ease water shortages Click here to read the News release

 
17th May 2006 -  Good News For Window Cleaners!   Sutton and East Surrey Water confirmed  their amended drought order to allow Window Cleaners using pole systems to be able to draw water as long as it is used with a tank Click here  to read the email.
 
16th May 2006 - News Update - Proposed Drought Orders Released! Defra released their findings of their inspectors report. Click here  they also issued a covering letter addressed to  Sutton and East Surrey Water PLC Click here  Defra's proposed drought order Click here  relating to Sutton and East Surrey.
 
27th March 2006 - Federation objects to the proposed South Coasts drought order on behalf of members.  Sutton and East Surrey Waters drought information site.