[Philip Hanson]

Yesterday, window cleaner Dean Telling was killed after falling 30ft from a ladder while cleaning the first floor windows of The Royal Bank of Scotland in Hull City Centre
 
He fell to the cobbled street below and was later found by early morning commuters and an off-duty policeman.  Police and paramedics were called to the scene at about 8am yesterday, and Mr Telling was taken by ambulance to Hull Royal Infirmiry but was pronounced dead at 8.49am
 
Mr Telling worked for OCS, one of the UK's largest window cleaning companies.
 
Detective Inspector Lisa Winward, of Humberside Police said: "Police are investigating the causes surrounding it and the Health & Safety Executive has been informed"
 
A spokeswoman for OCS said "A full investigation is underway to establish the precise circumstances and no further information is available at this point.
 
"Our deepest sympathy goes out to the friends and familyof Mr. Telling, who had been employed by OCS for just over a year.  He will be greatly missed by his colleagues"
 
The company declined to comment on its safety procedures for window cleaning.
 
A HSE spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the incident and an initial investigation is underway"

[Terry_Burrows]

very sad another person should fall victim to a ladder fall,its all what I said on Radio just on monday

[H h20]

One more death too many,very sad deepest sympathy to his family,is it worth it? safety first whats more important,Gaz

[alansavvi]

This is sad, my deepest sympathy to his family and friends who must be suffering beyond compare at this moment.

What is surprising is that OCS still uses ladders, why? I hope his family ask?

[a.j.menzies]

very sad , ocs usying ladders at a hight of 30 ft  and working by him self no one to foot the ladder.

[Mike_G]

They do use reach and wash but not for every job, and it is clearly not in every van.

[poleman]

Very sad news indeed, the 3rd death this year, I have seen OCS vans being fitted with Brodex WFP systems at there factory.

Andy   

[jeff1]

very very sad,

my deepest sympathy to Deans family and freinds.

Makes me more determined to change to wfp and quiker.

Jeff
Reflections

[Philip Hanson]

I have seen a picture of the scene, and in fairness it does not look as high as 30 feet to me, more like 22.

Here is an image of the site

WARNING: This is a graphic picture which some might find upsetting

click HERE to see it

( For some computers, you might need to copy this web address into your browser
http://www.professionalwindowcleaner.co.uk/wcdeath1.jpg  )


-Philip

[windows_chepstow]

That is a disturbing picture, Philip.

The ground to me looks as if it's on an incline and I suspect someone has picked up the ladders and put them back onto the window he fell from.

I hope his employers receive a suitable punishment.

Does anyone know how old Dean was?

[poleman]

Tosh, Mr Telling's age and address have not been released, but it is believed he did not live in Hull

[stuart@skypole]

its a sad day for his family,

and sorry to say we still have uninformed idiots at the water board trying to stop safer practices with the use of poles for the sake of money!

it brings home to us all about whats important in life
family
friends
etc

rgds
stu

[simbag]

Condolences to his family and all who knew him. Thoughts are with them all.

Is there a reason the image is no longer available?

[poleman]

I think it was wise to take the photo down, personal made me sick, and for legal reasons was not a good move.

Andy

[Philip Hanson]

There is no legal issue.

But I have had a few emails from window cleaners who think it might be just too much at present.  However, I also have had some from who say that shocking as it may be, this is just what window cleaners need to see in order to bring home the safety message.

To be honest, I am in two minds about it all.  But, I am leaning towards the notion that as painful as might be, if sights like this motivate window cleaners to take safety seriously - and that leads to saved lives - then it should be seen.  The problem is that we all talk about H&S, and have are petty arguments about WFP and ladders and all of that, but this is what happens in the real world.  Real people suffering tragic accidents.  Its not right, and no amount of statistics can ever get across the human cost.

While I make up my mind I've taken it off, but I am interested to know what people think - should it be published or not?

-Philip

[JohnL]

Publish.

A picture like this is tragic. For the family it is truly heartbreaking. For other WCers this may be something they do not wish to see because it is so close to them and maybe a situation they encounter on a daily basis. This is exactly where the safety argument lies.

A photograph is always a more powerful and memorable tool than words.

A tradegy like this is easy to read about and fade marginaly in the mind as the precise details of the causes remain unknown. A picture however makes the situational circumstances clearer and more relevant.

Perhaps if another WCer is about to enter the same scenario the memory of this picture may trigger a different  chain of events and avert another tradegy.

Regardless, my thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends at this time


JohnL

[Paul Coleman]

There is no legal issue.

But I have had a few emails from window cleaners who think it might be just too much at present.  However, I also have had some from who say that shocking as it may be, this is just what window cleaners need to see in order to bring home the safety message.

To be honest, I am in two minds about it all.  But, I am leaning towards the notion that as painful as might be, if sights like this motivate window cleaners to take safety seriously - and that leads to saved lives - then it should be seen.  The problem is that we all talk about H&S, and have are petty arguments about WFP and ladders and all of that, but this is what happens in the real world.  Real people suffering tragic accidents.  Its not right, and no amount of statistics can ever get across the human cost.

While I make up my mind I've taken it off, but I am interested to know what people think - should it be published or not?

-Philip

As I stated on another forum Philip, I feel that it would be better to publish than not.  I do have some empathy with the man's family in that they might prefer this not to be published and I also realise that some could regard publishing this as ghoulish.  The effect it had on me was to push home the message of being more careful out there.
I have a customer who has no tolds me to work off ladders or cancel the job.  I had considered showing them that picture (I have it on my hard drive).  I had considered giving in to that customer.  I have now overcome my ambivalence and decided to cancel that job - and that photo helped to swing that decision.  With most jobs I could safely work off a ladder if WFP gets banned around my way.  The cancelled job is not like that.

[stuart webster]

The death of yet another window cleaner is tragic. I'm sure Phillip will get e-mails from window cleaners who think it too much to show the picture, personally I don't want to see such pictures, I find it too upsetting.
However, I did view it and it's impact convinced me that getting off ladders was the best move I have made.

It is shocking, but it is the reality of falling from such heights.

Show the picture, or have it availiable to those who may be able to convince others of the dangers.

Just Thursday night, two WCers were laughing at me going WFP, waste of money, waste water etc.

This picture depicts a waste of life!

[The Fox]

Publish

It gets the message out; using a ladder is dangerous if not used correctly

 If one life is saved by publishing this photo then it is worth it.

We do not know the facts which lead to this accident, so we can not judge. A Photo only tells so much.

But I do agree with the comments made on this tread. On the photo evidence alone this accident should not have happened. If the company is found liable it should have the book throwing at it.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. 

[Mike_Boxall]

Hi Philip

Thanks for removing the image. While I think it is important to highlight these risks, out of respect for his family, I really don't think it's wise to publish the photo here, or anywhere else for that matter.

Regards

Mike