[Slacky]

Ive read two posts on here in the last few hours regarding injuries that were suffered whilst at work.

Thinking we rarely hear of these incidents; maybe most guys who suffer an injury probably want to keep it silent for fear of ridicule.

When I had been self-employed window cleaning for just 3 weeks I fell off a ladder, which was completely my own fault and in hindsight totally foolish,  and broke my leg and heel in 2 places. Meaning I couldn't work for 6 weeks.

I think it'd be interesting to hear of the accidents/incidents others have suffered. H & S is a part of this business probably talked about inadequately.

[Walter Mitty]

Although I've not suffered injury that's led to 3 days or more off, I have certainly had knocks that slowed me down for a few days - one even caused me to take the remaining half a day off as it shook me up and I felt unable to continue.  The most recent was only a few days ago - a manhole cover collapsed beneath me.  I know I'm overweight but not that much.

[Smudger]

Had 2 “accidents” neither have led to more than a day off work - first was fell 15 ft off the ladder thankfully landed on grass and bounced well - lots of bruises that’s when I decided wfp was the way to go !

Controlled fall off abungalow roof - was slippy and couldn’t get any grip so a slow slide down the tiles and over the edge - now always have lanyards and ropes or high access machine

My biggest time off has been since feb - 19mm diameter kidney stone - 2 op’s and now recovering from the effects of oramorph and co codamol - hope to be somewhere “fit” around Christmas - without staff I’d be homeless and no biz

Darran

[hotsteam]

Not really an accident, but sat on my wallet, with credit cards, business cards  and notes in it and stretched my sciatic nerve in my leg.
I could hardly bend to get in and out of the van, I had to see an osteopath to put it right.

Regards Hotsteam 

[Johnny B]

The only work related accident I had that led me to any 'time off' was when my ladders slid down and I ended up on my back on the customer's lawn. I was unhurt but the top half of the ladder was bent in half!

It was going to be my last house of the day anyway, so after some tea and sympathy with the customer and a trip to B&Q I was back at the house first thing the following morning.

John.

[robbo333]

None for me.
1 year trad with ladders and then 7 years wfp.
However, just bought a gutter vac, so thinking of replacing my old doubles with a set of triples (for swan necks etc).
You may be hearing from me again soon!

[dazmond]

None for me.
1 year trad with ladders and then 7 years wfp.
However, just bought a gutter vac, so thinking of replacing my old doubles with a set of triples (for swan necks etc).
You may be hearing from me again soon!

Don't joke about it mate......personally I think if your WFP then why risk your neck up a ladder clearing gutters?defo not for me....another 3 years and I'll be 50.....I took a lot of risks in my youth and fell off ladders twice...I might not be as lucky next time.....

[Stoots]

4 years in and no injuries

Broke plenty of stuff in peoples gardens but no bones

[dazmond]

I took a few days off once when I fell over some chairs looking up while wfpoling(bruised ribs)hurt like hell every time I coughed or laughed for weeks.....

Fell off ladders twice from 1st floor height but back at work the next day both times.....

Took nearly a month off with torn ankle ligaments playing football so doesn't count really as not work related....

[John Mart]

Not really an accident, but sat on my wallet, with credit cards, business cards  and notes in it and stretched my sciatic nerve in my leg.
I could hardly bend to get in and out of the van, I had to see an osteopath to put it right.

Regards Hotsteam 

Willy waving. 😂

[Clever Forum Name]

Fell off a roof and landed on frozen grass. Fractured my back in 4 places and had around 6 months off work.

I could have returned to work sooner but was in hospital for just under a month

[zesty]

Fell off ladder at upstairs height, thankfully only hurt my ankle. Miracle really.

Wfp is literally a life saver, when I look back at the 3 storey work I used to do off triple ladders, crazy.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

It's annoying when you pull a muscle in your back or shoulder on the job.   

[dazmond]

It's annoying when you pull a muscle in your back or shoulder on the job.   

i cant remember the last time this happened to me....working short hours and weight training 3 times a week helps a lot plus using xtreme poles and brushes.....the strength in my back and shoulders had improved immensely over the last 3 years of working out in the gym.....

[Gordon_Taylor]

Currently off work at the moment.

Fell off a covered walkway end of August, smashed my lower tibia which is now screwed back together with 5 screws, had fractures all the way up tibia.
I’m in a metal fixator cage till March then hopefully a walking boot after that.
The worst injury I had in the 23 years of window cleaning.

[Don Kee]

Currently off work at the moment.

Fell off a covered walkway end of August, smashed my lower tibia which is now screwed back together with 5 screws, had fractures all the way up tibia.
I’m in a metal fixator cage till March then hopefully a walking boot after that.
The worst injury I had in the 23 years of window cleaning.

You’d have been ok if you’d gone to the gym a few times a week and used xtreme poles and brushes.


(On a serious note, hope you have a speedy recovery mate!)

[dazmond]

Currently off work at the moment.

Fell off a covered walkway end of August, smashed my lower tibia which is now screwed back together with 5 screws, had fractures all the way up tibia.
I’m in a metal fixator cage till March then hopefully a walking boot after that.
The worst injury I had in the 23 years of window cleaning.

did you fall off a ladder?

[M & C Window Cleaning]

Biggest issue I’ve found with wfp is tripping due to looking up all the time. I misstepped in a customers garden 8 weeks ago which triggered a lower back spasm trapping the left femeral nerve at the same time and I couldn’t stand up for three weeks without crippling pain in my left leg.  This has happened twice in the last three years.
When I was a traddy though I smashed up my left ankle pretty badly whilst trying to get myself down off a balcony after my ladders blew down one windy March afternoon. That cost me nearly two years off in total due to follow up surgery I had to have to fuse the ankle six years later.

[Johnny B]

Some nasty injuries described here.

I have been extremely fortunate not to have been hurt when I have had the ladders slip or slide away.

I've had 4 or 5 incidents of the ladders going from under me in the 21 years I am in this game, and not once have I been hurt.

The fall which could have been very serious but which would have looked amusing to any eyewitnesses was the one where I was on a flat concrete ledge over a front door. I stepped back to check how clean the window was and fell backwards onto the concrete path below! I was wearing a builder's pouch which protected my lower spine when I landed on it.  Very embarrassing but I got up and walked away unscathed.

John

[Dave Willis]

I fell off a skirtingboard ladder. Luckily I landed on my wallet. If I hadn’t had heated seats to recover on I don’t know how I would have survived. I booked a five star holiday the very next day.