Window Cleaning Ladder Safety Advice

Window Cleaning Safety

Professional window cleaning can be a very precarious occupation, especially given the fact that falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace deaths. In addition to several fatalities, many more window cleaners suffer serious injury every year as the result of falling and you don’t even need to fall from a great height to be severely injured with many accidents occurring as the result of a fall from less than head height.

Principal Causes of Falls
Most falls suffered by professional window cleaners are from ladders which is hardly surprising seeing that they are the most commonly used implement for a window cleaner to ascend although cradles and other types of mobile elevating platforms can often be used too.
The predominant causes of a fall from a ladder are the window cleaner over-reaching, poorly maintained or old worn-out ladders, the user slipping off the rungs and the ladder itself slipping and falling. Please read The OSHA Standard below.

The OSHA Standard (shown in blue) for portable ladders contains specific requirements designed to ensure worker safety:
1. Loads 2. Angle 3. Rungs 4. Slipping 5. Other Requirements

1. Loads - Self-supporting (foldout) and non-self-supporting (leaning) portable ladders must be able to support at least four times the maximum intended load, except extra-heavy-duty metal or plastic ladders, which must be able to sustain 3.3 times the maximum intended load.


2. Angle - Non-self-supporting ladders, which must lean against a wall or other support, are to be positioned at such an angle that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is about 1/4 the working length of the ladder.

In the case of job-made wooden ladders, that angle should equal about 1/8 the working length. This minimizes the strain of the load on ladder joints that may not be as strong as on commercially manufactured ladders.

3. Rungs - Ladder rungs, cleats, or steps must be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use. Rungs must be spaced between 10 and 14 inches apart.


For extension trestle ladders, the spacing must be 8-18 inches for the base, and 6-12 inches on the extension section.

Rungs must be so shaped that an employee's foot cannot slide off and must be skid-resistant.


4. Slipping - Ladders are to be kept free of oil, grease, wet paint, and other slipping hazards.


Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering, except identification or warning labels on one face only of a side rail.

5. Other Requirements - Foldout or stepladders must have a metal spreader or locking device to hold the front and back sections in an open position when in use.


When two or more ladders are used to reach a work area, they must be offset with a landing or platform between the ladders.


The area around the top and bottom of ladder must be kept clear.


Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections, unless they are specifically designed for such use.


Never use a ladder for any purpose other than the one for which it was designed.

Other Medical Factors
In addition to faulty or poorly maintained ladders, a careless approach to the task or a simple freak accident, there are other medical conditions which should also be taken into consideration when thinking of using a ladder. It’s recommended that people who should refrain from using a ladder at any time include those who may suffer from epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, heart and lung conditions, problems with joint movements, those who misuse alcohol and/or drugs and those who may be on medication temporarily which might induce dizziness or drowsiness.
 
MORE LADDER SAFETY TIPS
Whether you’re a self-employed window cleaner or working for a larger company, you should ensure that any ladder you are using cannot slip and will not move when it’s stepped on. It should be of sufficient length to do the required job safely and without the need for any over-stretching and, where possible, handholds should be available to enable the user to have 3 points of contact. It is also imperative that you maintain a ladder and to check it for defects regularly. Unlike certain other equipment, if there are any signs of defects and your ladder is showing signs of wear and tear, it is usually advisable to get rid of it and buy a new one as opposed to having a ladder repaired; any repair could impair the strength of the ladder. It’s far better to buy a new one than to run the risk of a repaired one giving way whilst you’re high up on it as that could prove fatal.

After all, window cleaning via extension ladders IS DANGEROUS!
To avoid personal and property damage we need to take a close look at ladder safety procedures. During the course of this article, I'll reference safety standards and regulations from the IWCA, ANSI, OSHA and Cal OSHA. First, let's take a look at...


Correct Extension Ladder Setup:
Prior to using an extension ladder, visually inspect and take the appropriate measures so that building features, such as window ledges, frames, entranceways and landscaping will not impair the safe climbing, descending and moving of a ladder.

First - lay extension ladder flat on it's back with feet of the ladder butted up against building's wall. If a wall is not available, there are overhead obstructions, or other reasons you can't use building's wall to secure ladder, a second person can assist in setting up ladder. The second person takes the place of the wall by placing his or her foot on the bottom rung of the ladder and his or her other foot on one foot of the ladder.

Second - lift ladder's top while pushing forward to maintain pressure against building's wall. *Don't perform ladder work if you are not mentally or physically capable of safely accomplishing the work.
Lift with your legs, not your back.

Third - lift ladder overhead. With your hands extending ladder to your highest point of reach, work hand over hand pushing ladder towards the building.


Note: When you reach beyond the middle point of setting up your extension ladder, or lift past the middle rung; an increasing force of ladder's top weight will be working against your efforts. It may feel as though the top portion of the ladder will crash down over the back of your head; much , in the same way, a child's playground "See Saw" works. *You'll need to remain focused and calm; continue to lift ladder while increasing pressure against building's wall.

Fourth - At this point, you're ready to rest extension ladder against the building.

Fifth - lift ladder's base with both arms and move ladder slowly away from building. Make sure not to move ladder into glass below or mar exterior building surface.

Sixth - Extend ladder using ladder's rope and pulley system while stabilizing ladder with your right or left foot on ladder's bottom rung. Ladder must be close to, if not, fully vertical in position. Once ladder is erected to the correct working height, slowly lower top of ladder until it rests against building. Both feet of ladder and both left and right top arms of ladder must equally rest against building. To take down ladder, follow this guide in reverse.






Tip: Do not attempt extension ladder work when wind or when other weather conditions make it unsafe to the worker, property or public.

Ladder Pitch: The horizontal distance from its top support point to the foot of the ladder is 1/4 of the unsupported length of the ladder. Or, equal to 75° degree angle at level grade, i.e.. (ladder is extended 28' feet, it's base should be 7' feet from the building).

Tip: Do not stand above highest "safe standing level" prescribed by ladder's manufacturer, i.e.. (above top three rungs).


Tip: Do not extend the center of your body's torso past either side rail of ladder, i.e.. (do not over reach).


Tip: Keep atleast 3 points of contact when working, i.e.. (your feet and 1 hand).


Tip: Face ladder while ascending and descending.


Tip: Don't carry tools in hand, use a window cleaner's tool belt, or belt designed for the ladder work to be accomplished.

Tip: Wear proper footwear with non-slip soles.


Tip: Never leave erected ladder unattended.


Tip: Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways, or driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic to prevent accidental movement. Or, use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away from the ladder.

Extension Ladder Leveler and Stabilizer:

All ladders must be leveled before climbing. The leveling device must be an approved or certified device.


The “Ladder Leveler” is a fantastic addition to any extension ladder. Although, it will add weight to your ladder, the safety features far outweigh the inconvenience. The Ladder Leveler allows you to mount your ladder on uneven surfaces such as... (sloped grades and stair cases) by extending one or the other of it’s two legs. It also has “feet” that roll forward and has “teeth” that will help stabilize the ladder when on slippery surfaces like grass and loose gravel. When working on flat, solid surfaces, roll the feet back to their standard position – black “rubber pads down”.


This ladder leveler has an addition benefit; it helps stabilize ladder by creating a larger ladder base width.


Although, nonslip bases are not intended as a substitute for care in safe placing, lashing or holding a ladder that is being used on oily, metal, concrete or slippery surfaces, this "Ladder Stopper"  can help add addition traction and provide a safer ladder work environment for the user.

In the example shown, the ladder stopper is helping to stabilize an extension ladder on a home’s interior wood floor.

"Ladder Mitts" (Those orange things on the top) not only help protect property from be marred and damaged but, add stability to ladder's top. These rubber mitts can be easily added to and removed from common extension ladders. In my opinion, these are an absolute must, especially when mounting an extension ladder against vinyl, metal or other slippery building surfaces.

Load Ratings:


The American National Standards Institute defines the load rating of each ladder and is found printed on a safety label located on every ladder's leg. The Type designation of each ladder is a rating of how much weight a single rung on the ladder can bear.






Type 3 (Use Household) is safety rated to hold up to 200 pounds


Type 2 (Use Commercial) is safety rated to hold up to 225 pounds


Type 1 (Use Industrial) is safety rated to hold up to 250 pounds


Type 1A (Use Industrial) is safety rated to hold up to 300 pounds


Type 1AA (Use Industrial) is safety rated to hold up to 375 pounds


Disclaimer: Ladder work is dangerous and the use of techniques within this document may not be held liable against in the case of personal bodily or property damage. In other words... Use At Your Own Risk.

For more information, please visit our website:

http://www.dutchtouchwindowservice.com/