Poles Apart: Ladder-Less Window Cleaning from LaddersFree Aviods UK Companies Risking Life, Limb and Litigation

The Work at Height Directive 2005 means all building owners and managers must ensure that contractors such as window cleaners are using appropriate work equipment. LaddersFree has a solution.

(PRWEB) November 5, 2005 -- LaddersFree Ltd (http://www.laddersfree.co.uk), a Cardiff-based provider of national window cleaning management services, is helping UK companies comply with the recent Work at Height Directive 2005. LaddersFree is giving its customers access to The National Register of Ladderless Window Cleaners, who use water-fed poles to carry out work safely and get windows cleaner than ever.

The Work at Height Directive 2005 from the Health and Safety Executive (http://www.hse.gov.uk) means building owners and managers must take appropriate action and avoid making people work at height wherever they can. Under the directive, managers must ensure contractors, such as window cleaners, are conforming to the legislation – even if this means amending their present working practices. For example, appropriate work equipment must be selected and any persons working at height must be competent.

LaddersFree operates The National Register of Ladderless Window Cleaners: a network of contractors who all use water-fed poles to clean windows safely, without the need to climb a potentially dangerous ladder. By employing operatives from LaddersFree’s register, companies can avoid running foul of the Work at Height Directive 2005 and ensure they don’t risk life, limb… and litigation!

Furthermore, the water-fed poles mean awkward and even previously inaccessible windows can be cleaned without any stress. The poles are ideal for windows that are located above sensitive ground areas such as lawns and flower beds, or near occupants who value their privacy. As the pole-based cleaning method leaves no detergent residue on the pane, windows don’t get dirty so quickly which, in turn, reduces costs.

Aimed at national organisations with a number of UK-wide premises, as well as shops, offices, schools, universities, airports and council buildings, LaddersFree’s service ensures available local contractors are used for all jobs. Under the system, the customer pays only for the costs of window cleaning and not the contractor’s travel expenses. The customer also benefits from one payment point for window cleaning services at multiple, national sites – instead of having to deal with several regional contractors.

Members of The National Register of Ladderless Window Cleaners have all been vetted and approved by LaddersFree. The company’s rigorous performance management and quality control practises ensure customers receive a consistent standard of window cleaning throughout their UK premises. As LaddersFree members don’t subcontract work to any third parties, the company can continuously monitor both service levels and health and safety compliance.

Jason Korinek, national account director of LaddersFree Ltd, comments: “Our concept of national window cleaning management using local window cleaning companies means decision makers can comply with the recent changes to health and safety legislation and achieve other benefits which, we believe, are unrivalled in the industry.”

“Sometimes, window cleaning work can be subcontracted two or three times, which may compromise health and safety, service quality and cost. When this occurs, there’s no guarantee that the window cleaning operatives have the relevant liability cover, which puts everyone concerned at risk. Subcontracting with LaddersFree is prohibited and all the members carry out the work themselves, meaning fair pay is received and the highest standards upheld.”

He adds: “Working on ladders has always been an occupational hazard, with around 1,220 major accidents and 14 fatalities occurring, on average, every year in the UK. Water-fed poles reduce the risk by avoiding the use of ladders for window cleaning jobs entirely. Purchasing directors need to get their priorities right and introduce new health and safety standards for window cleaning rather than focusing on where to source a cheaper supplier of toilet rolls!”

·According to statistics at http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/rhsfall.pdf

Notes for Editors
LaddersFree Ltd, a Cardiff-based window cleaning management company, was established in November 2002. It operates The National Register of Ladderless Window Cleaners: a database of commercial window cleaners who use the latest water-fed pole technology to work safely and efficiently. LaddersFree’s clients include hotels, schools, universities, offices and other commercial properties.

Information about health and safety at work directives can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk

For further information, please contact:
Jason Korinek
Tel: 02920 794242
http://www.laddersfree.co.uk

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