The Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC), the UK's official trade body for the window cleaning industry, has successfully lobbied the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) with regard to the use of water-fed pole systems in window cleaning.

With the granting of drought orders to several water companies in Southeast England, the FWC was concerned that window cleaners would be forced to choose to either violate the drought orders and continue to use their water-fed pole systems or to violate the new Work at Height Restrictions (WAHR) implemented by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last year by using ladders instead of the pole systems.

The decision does restrict use of poles that are connected to water mains, but not those that feed out of portable tanks.

The FWC has asked its members to use traditional cleaning methods on ground floor windows if possible to save as much water as possible until the drought abates.

As further drought orders are granted, the FWC will continue to push for similar rulings in these areas.

FWC, tel, 0161 432 8754, www.f-w-c.co.uk

Source

Glass Age