[Bryan_Dolby]

The federation is producing WFP guidence for our industry,on behalf of the HSE

Does any federation member who uses WFPs want to help us with there input to the guidence

You will be sent a copy and you can give your veiws
Please post me your name and address on this site

Bryan Dolby

[choice.clean]

can,t email you here can you email me to send form

[Bryan_Dolby]

Bryan Dolby

Email

brydolby@dolbygang.freeserve.co.uk

[Philip Hanson]

I'll probably contribute a bit too, by email.

When is the fed going to produce its guidence on the European Work at Height Directive? (As promised in the the Annual report of the committee)

The consultation ended a month ago, and this will become law later this year.  If you dont do it now there will be no point.

Are you going to wait until members get prosecuted?

[simonb]

Phil
That almost sounds rebellious!

[Philip Hanson]

Indeed, and the silence is now deafening, isnt it?

[tom_currie]

what is the input the fed has had with the working at height directive
how can the fed give guidence on wfp when it has no formal training officer to give the membership training and guidence. the fed should be leading not asking others to lead then claim to be leader  

[choice.clean]

Here, here. As i have said before the fed is way behind on everything to do with wfp and is in danger of losing its credibility with window cleaners.

The wfp side is taking over rapidly, yet the fed has yet to wake up to this issue. I have had people contact me who have only been cleaning windows for a few months yet are already considering a pole system, how can we recommend them to join the fed when it doesn't seem to give any help with the wfp's unique problems?

We don't even have guidance on buying systems which could be done again in house like a "which" report. There is so much potetial for the fed to fill these gaps and expand its membership but complacency is taking over

[Old_Master]

In defence of the Fed
Bryan and the other Commitee Members are unpaid and devote their  time in aiding other window cleaners.
For them to ask for members comments is constructive.
I know I couldnt devote the time they do without it having an adverse effect on my Buisneses.
Any disatisfied window cleaners can ask to be considered for commitee membership.If you think somthing is lacking offer your free time to do it!

[Craig_Mawlam]

Glyn,

It’s not unreasonable for window cleaners to ask what the Fed is doing on their behalf nor is it unreasonable for them to expect more when they perceive that action is needed.

But you're right to point out the voluntary nature of a hard working committee. If the will exists to achieve more then delegation is the answer. There are a number of qualified people in the industry that are willing to devote their time to projects that could benefit the industry. The stumbling block is getting through the election process while waiting for a place to become vacant on the committee that was recently reduced from 12 to 10 members.

Regards
Craig

[choice.clean]

i would be willing to train fed members in wfp if the fed covered my expenses anyone else willing to do so lets get a list going and see if the fed takes up on it i,m in swansea

[tom_currie]

would the fed not be better to raise subs to allow them to employ full time trainer and send him round the country giving small hands on training courses for 4/5 people at a time. other people in the industry are taking this on and the fed is way behind or is the fed setting out to look after the one man and his ladder business

[The_Fed_Man]

The wfp side is taking over rapidly, yet the fed has yet to wake up to this issue. I have had people contact me who have only been cleaning windows for a few months yet are already considering a pole system, how can we recommend them to join the fed when it doesn't seem to give any help with the wfp's unique problems?~choice.clean

Well at least half of the Comittee use WFP systems and two of us have had systems for over 4 years. Members have telephoned the Fed and I have given advice over the phone to several members using and looking to buy WFP systems. I was also active at the Trade Show doing just this on behalf of the Fed.  Others are willing to give advice as well, you just have to ask.

We don't even have guidance on buying systems which could be done again in house like a "which" report.~choice.clean

What sort of commotion do you think there would be if the Fed started endosing certain products and not others? Impartial advice has to be given, as with hand held tools.

As for training with WFP, my supplier told me how to use my system when I bought it from them, later this year guidance notes from the Fed and Suppliers should be available to all which will help with the practical use of poles and systems.

[Old_Master]

Choice.Clean
Do you have Public Employee insurance to cover you against any claims if an accident occured following your training program.
Are you a qualified Health and Safety Instructor?

[choice.clean]

nope but i sure have learnt since i bought the system from ionics and had there training on site what was it the office window at the depot with a hand pole i,m sure lots of us remember that craig did offer to come down and train me after buying the machine i remember the words well 'it will cost you £300 a day' we have since spent over £15000 with ionics alone so you,ll understand why i see some irony in these companies now offering training courses.

[Old_Master]

Choice.Clean
I have to defend Omnipole here. We have always offered free participation and instuction in use of Omnipole equipment with our own team of window cleaners. Very many customers have taken up the offer to spend a few hours or a whole day with our teams. Most havent for various reasons.
The training we are talking about now is not the same type of basic instruction. In fact we are not qualified to offer free training in the legal sense. Training has become a problem in all industries due to the chance of a law suit if the training hasnt been carried out correctly by a qualified Instructor. For this reason we have tied up with Operator Training Services - who are highly qualified and approved.
We are now talking about a training program that covers all issues regarding Health and Safety from a classroom - to being on site - this will probably require a written test at the end of the training course. We envisage that this training will result in a qualification reconised by Health and Safety Officers in all industries.

Now I take you point regarding manufacturers and training but does a car manufacturer offer  free driving lessons?
If you buy a back sprayer to kill weeds etc. you still need a PA1 licence to legally operate it. The manufacturers do not offer this nor do the manufacturers of herbicides bearing in mind that these companies make more money in a hour from the sale of their products than the whole waterfed pole industry would hope to make in a year.
Or closer to our trade if you buy a Cherry Picker for up to £250,000 you still have to be trained by IPAF take a written test and pay for the training.
I hope you now understand that we are now talking about profesional training not a basic "how to use" instruction.
Glyn
Omnipole

[choice.clean]

how about a code of practice then whereby the fed only accepts adverts in the fed magazine if manufacturers include a notice that all pole suppliers recommend a safety training course before purchasing this equipment would give the wfp industry credibility wouldn,t it and preserve the feds reputation