How to Stay Safe and Efficient As a Window Washer

Window washing is a process which needs to be taken seriously, if you want to do it right. There are a lot of safety rules to follow in order to keep yourself safe and well-protected. You should also make sure to get the right training and safety certifications. This will allow you to be more confident and efficient when you’re doing the job.

Safety requirements

Window washers are hired to clean windows in buildings. They usually work in high-rises, where they face a variety of safety hazards. But there are a few things they can do to stay safe while working.

They can use safety equipment like helmets, harnesses, and belts. But they should also wear personal protective gear (PPE), which includes boots and gloves.

One of the most important tools that window washers use is a ladder holder. This is a device that keeps the window cleaner from falling. A ladder holder must be used when a ladder is over 18 feet long.

Other common equipment used by window washers is a ladder with properly rungs, a lifeline, and an anchor for fall protection. It is important to have these elements in place, since a ladder can easily be pulled away from a building by strong winds.

Training and safety certification

Choosing the right training and safety certification for window washers can make a big difference. Not only do these standards keep workers safe, they help protect the building owner and passersby.

IWCA, or the International Window Cleaners Association, has developed a comprehensive set of safety certifications. These credentials will give window cleaning crews the knowledge to provide safe high-rise window cleaning services.

IWCA’s safety certification program has five levels: Route/Residential, Rope Descent Systems, Commercial Ground, Suspended Scaffold, and High Rise Specialist. Each level requires on-the-job training. The program is designed to complement the IWCA’s i-14 window cleaning safety standards.

Each discipline has its own manuals and specific training programs. These courses are offered by IWCA and a variety of United States organizations.

Skyscraper windows

Window washers for skyscraper windows are professionals who have a specific set of skills and training. They have to be careful, because the job often involves hanging hundreds of feet above the ground. They also have to protect themselves from wind and rain.

Window washers for high-rise buildings use different tools to clean windows. They have four main methods for cleaning windows. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

One method uses an articulating reach pole that has a brush on the end. It can be filled with a mixture of water and soap. Another method uses pressurized water to rinse the window panes. Some window cleaners also use squeegees. These squeegees have steel or brass handles.

The use of protective gloves protects window cleaners from the cold. They can also protect them from ice and snow. Some of the tools used for skyscraper window cleaning include safety ropes, safety harnesses, suction cups, and rope-grabbing tools.

Smog

Household cleaners are a major source of smog. They contain highly reactive solvents. Depending on the type of product, the cumulative use of cleaning products can cause significant emissions. Some of the most severe problems are in California and parts of the Northeast, upper Midwest, and the mid-Atlantic region.

In June, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would consider tighter smog standards for the future. It held the first public hearings on a plan to reduce noxious gas emissions from industry and household cleaners. Many speakers urged the agency to raise smog limits, saying they needed tougher regulations to force cities that are severely polluted to address the problem.

The EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee proposed setting the smog limit at 0.060 parts per million. Some manufacturers, including Stoner Inc., say surfactants, which are large molecules that help water clean, do not contribute to smog. Other representatives argued that the EPA should keep the current amount or go down to 0.060.

Avian visitors

One of the best ways to keep your avian guests happy is to pay attention to the windows that they inhabit. In particular, keep your windows clean and free of debris such as stray strands of hair and clothing. To keep it that way, employ a window washing service that knows what it’s doing. Some companies even offer extras like bird friendly window cleaning. The best part is that you’ll also be rewarded with the best possible view of your neighborhood. And who doesn’t love a view? And if you’re an avian enthusiast, it’s an especially great way to spend your evenings.