I think the man is 2 faced, HSE rules dont ban ladders, he is right there, but he seems to blame everyone else for the legislation today. The basic rule for window cleaners is the HSE want as much wok done from the ground as much as possible, you can only use a ladder when you have considered all alternatives first. If you do use a ladder is must be secured at the bottom at all times and in some circumstances, eg getting onto a flat roof, must be secured at the top as well.Thw ladder must be upto British Standard and have identification for record keeping and an recomended load weight. How many window cleaners do this. Under 5%, probably.
robert t