[PaulTh]

seems theres a lot of WFP users trying to get the message out to the world or at least Europe that ladders are banned and customers have no choice but to use their new fangled gadgets,this will probably have an effect on trad window cleaners trying to build up work as a lie told often enough tends to become believed as the truth so try and get your facts right guys before you try and line your pockets to the detriment of trad window cleaners.

To clarify the situation HSE is not attempting to ban ladders or stepladders, but ladders should not be the automatic first choice of access. They should only be used after a suitable assessment of the alternatives and the prevailing site conditions. The selection process for access equipment is coming under increasing scrutiny at HSE inspections. This guidance clarifies that for short duration work like window cleaning, provided a number of well-recognised precautions are taken, ladders will remain a common tool for many jobs.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_cleaner

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

Wikipedia the font of all truth.

Get over it Ladders are Banned!!

 

[big J]

hmmm  I am doing a diploma of Higher education at the mo,,,, The university says wikipedia is bannned as it is a social site note a information sight,,,, 2005 HSE regs stae that basically ladders should only be used by exception ....that is why i will be using WFP system from day one

[Nathanael Jones]

bending the truth??? fall off your ladder, and try claiming on your insurance. when they tell you that you shouldn't have been using ladders in the first place,.. tell them that they're bending the truth and see how far it gets you!!

[landy2]

ladders are gone i used them for 13 years and have been ussing the pole now for a year and half looking back how primative ladders were

[craig mcneil]

My understanding is that it's OK to use ladders provided you don't have WFPs. If you have WFPs then you should only use ladders in exceptional circumstances. A typical HSE fudge.

From a personal point of view I think any serious window cleaner should be using a WFP setup. It's far safer, quicker and does a better job of the windows.

[Nathanael Jones]

Not having WFP isn't an excuse. If the technology exists and is reasonably affordable, then the HSE say anyone in the business should invest as soon as possible.
If you're in the business and can't afford a basic DIY trolley/ backpack (£500 or less) then you really should give up and get a real job!!

[Alex Gardiner]

The HSE are actually very specific when it comes to ladder use and window cleaning. They say that ladders should only be used if a safer alternative (WFP, platform, scaffold) is not viable for some reason. They also state that not being able to afford a WFP or not owning a WFP system is not valid reason for using a ladder.

Personally I made the change about 8-9 years ago, before any such rulings were in place. I made this decision for my own safety on the commercial work I was doing. I now look at ladders as a very antiquated and crude method of access.

[cozy]

Oh no! I'm illigal. Anyone want to by my rounds? I need to sell them before I get arrested for Trad W/Cing.

All 6 weekly, easy access (even for losers that use primitive stuff like ladders).All the houses are so small that real W/C's (WFP) can clean them apparently in under 4 minutes!!!!  Not bad at an average price of 12 quid, Also after sales fun, the successful buyer can come on this forum and shout about hourly rates of over a hundred quid an hour (prividing he/she does every house in 4 to 5 minutes), must be easy for a pro.

Any takers?

[JCS*]

[ftp]

I began wfp 'cos I hated ladders. Funny thing is, I was up them today for two jobs - getting cement off a pane and scrubbing a conservatory roof.

[JCS*]

Also, as far as I know, not affording a WFP system is not an excuse for not using it as the safer alternative to ladders.

(Imagine a gas fitter saying he's not going to get corgi* registered as he can't afford it!)

*Or GAS SAFE

[NWH]

Fall off and then get back to us,i don`t who in there right mind wants to use them anyway you must be stupid not mad.

[Rob.Hall]

I think HSE have given a little le way as you are allowed to use a ladder on your own as long as the job is not for more than 15 mins at a time. eoe.

Still need to do a risk ass anyway.

[macmac]

It would be fine if WFP was a total solution but it's not & is far from it. There are many windows & whole premises that WFP is not at all suitable to use on & for many differing reasons. Although over the last couple of years suitability has been helped by brush & pole developements there will always remain many WFP un-friendly properties & these are the type of property where I earn my best wages! Trad for trad money!

WFP for 5 years & still love trad. Not disadvantaged by a fear of ladders, when I see ladders I see pound signs!!

[tomy jackson]

thay shud be risc asesed when ever you move the lader from one window to the next one this s from a co that runs lader safety traning . and all your laders shud have a tag on them with the dates of when they wor cheked ,and that is 6 muthly, so hands up if yours ant

[leapstallbuildings]

seems theres a lot of WFP users trying to get the message out to the world or at least Europe that ladders are banned and customers have no choice but to use their new fangled gadgets,this will probably have an effect on trad window cleaners trying to build up work as a lie told often enough tends to become believed as the truth so try and get your facts right guys before you try and line your pockets to the detriment of trad window cleaners.

To clarify the situation HSE is not attempting to ban ladders or stepladders, but ladders should not be the automatic first choice of access. They should only be used after a suitable assessment of the alternatives and the prevailing site conditions. The selection process for access equipment is coming under increasing scrutiny at HSE inspections. This guidance clarifies that for short duration work like window cleaning, provided a number of well-recognised precautions are taken, ladders will remain a common tool for many jobs.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_cleaner

I'm surprised that people are saying they are banned.  However, if you were to go to the letter of the law in using a ladder, it would be a lot slower than it once was.  Ladders aren't banned but the circumstances in which they may be used are more strictly regulated as are the ways they are used.  The exact  rules are a bit ambiguous though.

[NWH]

It won`t be long all i`ll have is a telescopic ladder in the back for the odd window when i have to go from flat roof to upper flat roof,if i can`t pole it i don`t really want to do it.I have some really good what used to be trad jobs which i`ve since converted to WFP,i`m not doing hardly anything traditional anymore it just seems to take to long.Obviously insides and shops but why would any WC want to go up and down a ladder all the time could someone please inform me i did it for 15yrs and had enough,it dosen`t make you anymore of a man because you use a ladder.

[R W C]

I think people need to speak to the people local to them, just because one person has said it doesnt mean a whole forum has, ive had custys say this to me but ive told them there not banned.

[tomy jackson]

so how many have ther ladders taged ?/