Contact Time

Monday - Friday 9.00 - 4.30

Contact Phone

0161 432 8754

Contact Email

[email protected]

Health and Safety

The HSE and the Cleaning Industry are working in partnership through the Cleaning Industry Liaison Forum (CILF). The Forum comprises representatives from trade associations, trade unions and key industry stakeholders who have agreed a priority plan. HSE has a specific section of its website specifically for the cleaning industry. Click Here for more information

The Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched new guidance to help make it easier for larger organisations and businesses to understand how to manage health and safety. The completely refreshed and enhanced ‘Managing for Health and Safety’ guidance (also known as HSG65) is now available online - see press release

The health and safety law poster. You can find out more including how to download the free leaflet/pocketcard or buy the poster at: HSE's website.

HSE’s new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), will come into force on Monday (1 October).

Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action. 

The many businesses that comply with their legal obligations will continue to pay nothing. In addition, practical advice, tools and case studies for controlling common risks and ensuring compliance with health and safety law can be found in the Health and Safety Toolbox on HSE’s website

Detailed guidance for businesses and organisations is available on HSE’s website along with operational guidance for inspectors such as dealing with multiple dutyholders. 

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations  2013 (RIDDOR) 

Only responsible persons' including employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises should submit reports under RIDDOR

Online Reporting of accidents and incidents at work Click Here

Safe use of portable ladders & water-fed Pole Systems DVD

Safe use of portable ladders and waterfed pole systems is the title of a Safety training DVD. It shows the importance of a thorough inspection of the site and of the equipment. Moreover the importance of safety in securing the ladder and its correct use….with an emphasis on the potential consequences. Waterfed poles - Traditionally, window cleaners have used all manner of ladders and platforms to reach the higher windows, but the introduction of new technology and the Working At Height Regulations in 2005 Regulations in 2005 have shown us that if it’s not essential to work at height…then don’t!

Using telescopic poles might seem like the ultimate solution, but they’re not without their dangers. In this short video, we’ll aim to show you how to get the most out of your water-fed pole system and how to keep you and the people around you safe. Available from the Federation at a price of £5.00 for Members - £15.00 for Non-Members. Click Here to email your order, or call: 0161 432 8754

"Cleaning Windows Safely" - Accredited Training Course

A one-day IOSH accredited Safety Course covering both the use of Water fed poles and portable ladders. Written by window cleaners for window cleaners. No nonsense - hands on practical and theory course with an IOSH accreditation at the end. Giving you an industry recognised qualification for the price of £175.00 plus vat for members; and £215.00 plus vat for Non-members. Click Here for more information on training courses... Click Here to email for a booking form.

"Risk Assessment" - Accredited Training Course for Window Cleaners

This one-day IOSH accredited Health and Safety Course is aimed at everyone within the window and specialist cleaning industry and specifically self-employed, employees, supervisors, managers and safety officers. For dates and venues for this course Click Here For dates and venues - Click Here for more information and a booking form.
 
HSE Window Cleaners Best Practice Guide for WaterFed Poles....how to do it and look after your body. Click Here for a copy of the full guide

What is a Health and Safety Policy?

A health and safety policy sets out your general approach and objectives (your vision) and the arrangements you have put in place for managing health and safety in your business. It is a unique document that says who does what, when and how. It shows your staff, and others, your commitment to health and safety and simply describes how you will implement and monitor your health and safety controls.

Click Here for Example Health and Safety Policy

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. Click Here for Risk-Assessment Template Further information and advice on risk assessment can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/risk

Safety in Window Cleaning Using Waterfed Pole Systems and Portable Ladders

In recent years many window cleaners have adopted the use of waterfed pole systems that facilitate the cleaning of windows up to 60ft/20 metres high from ground level. Avoiding the need to work at height is an obvious immediate attraction; however, there are various considerations to be taken into account. Click Here For full guidance on this.
 

BE SAFETY AWARE!! Especially when using a long water-fed pole close to an overhead power line. Check for overhead power cables as part of your daily RAMS before extending a water-fed pole wherever you are. See more here.

See more on avoiding danger from overhead powerlines in the HSE GS6 guidance document here.

TPL Trade banner
 

SP energy networks logo

SAFETY MATTERSStaying safe around electrical assets

STAY SAFE AT WORKSite Safe video


Suspended Access Equipment - Cradles etc - safe use of cradles for window cleaning work. Click Here for more information

HSE Shattered Lives Campaign - Are you height aware?

Last year 45 workers died following a fall from height and 3750 were seriously injured. Reducing this unnecessary injury toll is a priority and Shattered Lives is the HSE's latest campaign. Find out what happens when workers are put at risk and what you can do to stop falls from height in your workplace by Clicking here

This Health and Safety section contains awareness articles: either click the relevant link or: Click Here

Don’t let a dodgy ladder shatter your life. Falls from height continue to be the main cause of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. Around a third of all 'falls from height' accidents are as a result of a fall from a ladder

The Ladder Exchange campaign 2012 is a scheme which allows "dodgy" ladders to trade them in for new ones at a discount. 2012 is the Exchange's sixth year and runs from 1st September until 30th November, during which time any ladder user can trade their ladder in at a local ladder exchange trade-in partner. Further detials on the scheme can be found here.

About Us

The Federation was established in 1947 as an independent, non-profit making organisation to support the needs of window cleaners in the UK. Owned by and run only for the benefit of our members. Our purpose is to maintain and improve the window cleaning industry and to represent our membership, updating our image in line with the unrivalled federation that we have become today and in turn we continue to re evaluate the service offering we supply to our membership.

Contact Us

Summerfield House, Harrogate Road,
Reddish, Stockport,
Cheshire, SK5 6HQ, England.

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