[elfords]

Like many of us the new working at height regulations has forced us to look at various working practices we carry out week in and week out, which is not such a bad thing for the most part.

Ever since I first started in this business when it comes to cleaning balconies it has been a matter of taking a ladder up to balcony and hopping over the railings etc. to gain access and up to around two years ago we would of gone up to third floor using this method, since then we have set the maximum height at second floor.

Now we have always been aware that this is a risky area of our work due to the associated fall risks once you step off the ladder to access the balcony, let alone climbing the ladder in the first place, but with enough training and good practices in place we have so far avoided any incidents, which is of course debatable whether its just been luck or those good practices. Also I think its fair to say that this method of cleaning balconies is very commonplace, however having spoken to Andrew the H & S officer for the federation who made it quite clear that you should not be doing this and as well as other cleaners and also considering the latest up coming WAHD I am now unsure about the best way forward for us to deal with balcony cleaning in the future. The way I see it is we have the following options:

1.   Change nothing and carry on with the good practices that have served us well so far all be it against current and proposed regulations.

2.   Refuse to do all balconies from now on and explain to the customer that although we have always done them for you before we are now no longer able to due to regulations. Bare in mind that some buildings have very little glass that is not actually on a balcony!

3.   Say that we can now only do balconies with access from inside so therefore the customer has to be in or they have to give us keys. Showing them our key holder insurance and references etc. In an apartment block of 50 how likely is it they will all be in at the same time or they all trust you enough to let you have their house keys!

4.   Insist that the only way we can do the balconies from the exterior is if they certified eyebolts fitted for us to lash our ladders too as well as fix our fall arrest lanyards to for the fall prevention protection when leaving the ladder. I don`t see too many being prepared to pay out for this

So as you can see I am very undecided what to do about this area of our work and would like some advice from what you guys do with regards to this together with any problems you have had implementing your way of overcoming this obstacle with the customer. It would be great if we could all decide one way or another on something like this so that when quoting we are all on a level playing field but the reality is that what ever I decide to do there will be some that still offer what the customers wants regardless of consequences or regulations.

[karlosdaze]

I always get entrance Gary.

[Jeff Brimble]

Having committed to wfp I only go up ladders under exceptional circumstances. So I personally would not climb over a balcony( having caught my wedding tackle once ).
I would suggest to the customer doing them every other time or only when they are in. If they really want them doing they will let you know. Its a bit like gates, I dont climb over them either if I cant reach the latch with my rubber arm.

[elfords]

Karl,

Nice short answer care to elaborate? Thanks for program by the way the only problem is I don`t have a palm!

Jeff,

The only problem with what you say is the logistics of organising payment as most blocks we get paid for via the management company so doing it your way, you would then have to organise the individual payments for each balcony which could be a pain as well as needing a on site contact to put out notices to say were calling. It could of course work if people were prepared to help themselves which is sometimes easier said than done.

[Jeff Brimble]

Blocks ! difficult !
Maybe your answer No2 and a reduction in price.
But I guess you will opt for No1 until someone slips.
Maybe you could invent a safety gadget just for the balconies. But if you are doing risk assesment for employees then you already have spotted a risk and must now take the relevant action ?

[elfords]

I agree Jeff about taking the relevant action but my concern is that if were not all doing the same (competitors) then too what cost of losing existing customers and potential ones would this action have? After all as I said before many blocks have a large amount of glass on the balconies sometimes also with glass screens so if you were to have a policy of excluding all balconies (which in some cases we are already doing) how many customers will think is it worth having anything done or will look for someone still cleaning balconies and there are still many that do and will probably continue too in the face of legislation. So what do you do 

[Jeff Brimble]

Thought about this last night in the bath. Suggest u make apponitment to whoever pays you and put your case to them and see if they are happy with you breaking your neck climbing over their balconies and would they sign a bit of paper absolving you from making a mess on their property when you fall off and have they got PL cover to allow you to do this ?. Then if not they, would approve your work practice to the tennants.
Not put well but you get the gyst ?

[karlosdaze]

Karl,

Nice short answer care to elaborate? Thanks for program by the way the only problem is I don`t have a palm!

I only do inside & outside window cleaning at the same time, so I always get access inside the house. the biggest problem in Spain are the railings/security poles often only 2" apart.
Sorry, thought your reply in that thread on another forum was you wanted a counter for windows.