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Federation News.....
 
Thursday 17th May 2013 - Following the News on 26th February;....
In the light of news that EU competition investigators are probing the Oil market for possible manipulation, we are now calling on the UK bodies that regulate and monitor the markets to open up their investigations into these allegations and the impact of any such manipulation has had on UK families, businesses and the UK economy. Are you signed up to FairFuelUK, please add your electronic ‘sign up’ to the renewed call for the UK authorities to investigate as well. This is a massively serious issue and must be resolved. Please ask your friends, family, colleagues, employees, suppliers and everyone else you know to add their sign up too, at: www.fairfueluk.com   PLEASE SIGN UP TO THEIR NEW PETITION ....It says: "I support FairFuelUK's Call for the UK Financial Regulators to act......"
 
Monday 8th April 2013 -The FWC gives notice to members that the 2013 Annual General Meeting is to be held in the Boardroom Summerfield House, Harrogate Road, Reddish Stockport SK5 6HQ on Monday 15th April 2013.  Commencing at 2.00pm. 
 
Wednesday 26th February 2013 -  Have you Completed the FairFuelUK Tax Poll?  If not please click here to enter the FairFuelUK website and do so before 4th March. 
 

Wednesday 20th February 2013 - How your business can engage with young people Employers are being encouraged to attend an event in East London promoting industry to young people.  In conjunction with Poplar HARCA, Asset Skills is hosting this free, informative session which seeks to foster greater collaboration between business and education.

When and where:
Thursday 21 March, 14:30 – 17:00
St Paul's Way Centre, 83 St Paul's Way, London, E3 4AJ.
What will be covered?
• How employers and schools/colleges can work effectively together
• Myth busting and Q & A
• Inspiring programmes and opportunities to get involved in, such as the Youth Employment Charter and the School Matching Service.
There will be presentations from:
• Poplar HARCA, who are able to share good practice and discuss the benefits to their business  The event will have refreshments and offers great networking opportunities.
It will outline the business case for engaging with young people and schools/colleges, and will equip employers with the know-how to include young people in their business activities.
We are planning a ‘big and busy’ event so please sign up as soon as possible to secure your place.   
Registration is simple, just click here.  If you would like further information please contact Andrew Cook on acook@assetskills.org  or call 01392 423 399.
 

 
Monday 14th January 2013 - Vehicle theft with WFP system stolen  from Stockport - FWC member Steven was setting up for business at 10.00am with his employee who had just attached the pole to his belt  at the rear of his White Ford Transit van….EO 08 NUH and called Steven for assistance - the engine was running as he climbed out and went to the rear and some low-life jumped in and sped of with his van …wheels spinning it almost dragged his employee who was hooked to the pole but fortunately the hose reel came free from the van. Please contact the FWC if you have seen this vehicle, or know anything about the incident.
Don't leave your vehicle running on these cold frosty mornings!
 
Friday 26th October 2012 - FWC - Gutter Vac DEMO Day in Stockport Wednesday 21st November 2012 - Event times: between 2.00pm – 4.00pm Come and see/feel the New  Space Vac Gutter Vac on display and we are offering a one-off Special discount on the day!!   Venue: Summerfield House Harrogate Road, Reddish, Stockport SK5 6HQ Tel: 0161 432 8754 to register you interest in attending.  Click Here for more
 
Friday 28th September 2012 - HSE begins fee for intervention
The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), will come into force on Monday, 1 October.Click Here for more information
 
Monday 17th September 2012 - UNGER UK - DEMO day at the FWC
on Wednesday 10th October 2012 - Event times: between 2.00pm – 4.30pm Come and see/feel the New HiFlo nLite waterfed pole reaching over 20m/65ft high.   There will be many Unger products on display and we are offering a one-off Special discount on the day on selected products.  Venue: Summerfield House Harrogate Road, Reddish, Stockport SK5 6HQ Tel: 0161 432 8754 to register you interest in attending.
 
Thursday 26th July 2012 - The WINDEX exhibition 2012 has been cancelled. Click Here for more information
 
Wednesday 25th July 2012 - SAFETY TRAINING FOR WINDOW CLEANERS - Cleaning Windows Safely using water fed poles & portable ladders training course for employees.  Click Here for dates  Risk Assessment course for cleaning windows - guttering and external facades Click Here for course dates
 
Tuesday 25th June 2012 - Today, the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) launched its new Diploma in Cleaning Management, powered by Cleanwise Training and delivered in association with Drury PSM. Click Here  for more information
 
Wednesday 13th June 2012 - Southern Water update on the water resources situation and water restrictions - Click Here to view PDF document
 
Tuesday 3rd April 2012 - The FWC gives notice to members that the 2012 Annual General Meeting is to be held in the Boardroom Summerfield House, Harrogate Road, Reddish Stockport SK5 6HQ on Monday 16th April 2012.  Commencing at 2.00pm. 
 
Tuesday 3rd April 2012 - Cleaning firm fined over porter's death at Bolton hospital Click Here  for more infromation
 
Wednesday 27th March 2012- Veolia Water Recent Notice - Temporary Use restrictions - Exceptions now  apply for Cleaning of windows during the temporary hosepipe restrictions will be permitted until 4th July for those who have invested in WFP systems prior to 15th March 2012...   Thereafter, visit Veolia's website to apply for individual concessions.                                            Initial Temporary restrictions explained

‘In order to conserve water resources, window cleaners should use a mix of conventional window cleaning practices with buckets, squeegees and applicators as well as telescopic poles alongside the use of water-fed pole systems, alongside the objectives of avoiding work at height whenever possible’ Also by reporting any leaking overflow pipes. 

 
Thursday 15th March 2012 - Hosepipe ban notice - Drought - Thames Water gives notice to all of its customers, that the potable* water it supplies throughout its entire area must not be used for the following purposes:  Click Here  for more on this ; and the exemptions!
 
How the Temporary Use Bans Order 2010 could affect individual water supply companies Click Here for Defra's explanation.
 
Go to the Defra drought page to find a link to both the Temporary Use Bans Order and the Drought Direction to see what may be included in restrictions. Drought « Defra
 
Thursday 15th March 2012 - Update on Southern Water's Supply Area - As you may already be aware, the Secretary of State for the Environment has declared that a large part of southern and eastern England is in drought.  This comes following the second driest 12 months on record, with nine of the 16 months recording below average rainfall. Click Here for more information.
 
Tuesday 13th March 2012 - South East & Southern Water Drought Plan is among all 21 water companies in England and Wales which has been given approval by Defra to publish its updated draft Drought Plan and begin a formal consultation process running from February until 4th April.......As one of the key stakeholders, the federation of window cleaners has been invited to participate in their formal consultation process: subsequently we have submitted a letter of response while pending a  meeting with Defra and FWC, CSSA and BCC representatives. Click Here  to view a copy of our initial response letter.  We will keep members informed of any progress during their consultation period and onward.   Meanwhile, FWC have assisted KR Social Research in organising a phone survey on behalf of Southern Water, alongside the consultation on their draft Drought Plan. This survey will hear from window cleaners as well as other businesses that could be affected by restrictions on water use during a drought.

The purpose of the survey to hear views about the order in which restrictions on water use might be introduced during a drought, and the impact of restrictions on businesses. It will be carried out by GfK NOP  and it will take about 4 minutes.  Click Here for more on GfK NOP

 

 
Thursday 15th February 2012 -  Industry agrees to postpone Carpex /Windex until October 2012 Click Here for more information.
 
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.