Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Federation of Window Cleaners Successfully Lobbies on Drought Orders

Please find below the latest press release from the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC).

If you would like anymore information please contact:

Alison Joyce
Mulberry PR
Phone: 020 7928 7676
ajoyce@mulberrymc.com

Federation of Window Cleaners Successfully Lobbies on Drought Orders

Good news for Window Cleaners

The Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC), the UK’s official trade body for the window cleaning industry, has successfully lobbied the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) with regard to the use of water-fed pole systems in window cleaning.

With the granting of drought orders to several water companies in Southeast England, the FWC was concerned that window cleaners would be forced to choose to either violate the drought orders and continue to use their water-fed pole systems or to violate the new Work at Height Restrictions (WAHR) implemented by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last year by using ladders instead of the pole systems.

As soon as the orders were called, the FWC logged its objections directly to Defra, enabling the federation to represent its members at the public hearings. Without this pressure on Defra by the FWC, in addition to that from the HSE, the British Window Cleaning Academy, Omnipole and local newspapers, the secretary of state would not have had sufficient information to decide that window cleaners should be permitted to continue to use their water-fed pole systems in Sutton and East Surrey. The decision does restrict use of poles that are connected to water mains, but not those that feed out of portable tanks.

“The last couple of months have been the most challenging yet, but we are pleased that our efforts to inform Defra about how these drought orders affect the window cleaning industry have paid off,” said Steve Lowe of the FWC Executive Council. “We hope to get similar concessions from other water companies as more drought orders are announced. And as always, we will be there every step of the way, regardless of the outcome of our efforts, to ensure our members are represented and informed at all times.”

According to the HSE, in 2004-5 there were 53 deaths and 3800 major injuries from workplace falls from heights in the UK, which is why the WAHR were implemented. If window cleaners have to return to traditional cleaning methods with ladders, they'll be once again risking their lives, despite the existence of technology such as water-fed poles designed to eliminate this danger. The FWC has asked its members to use traditional cleaning methods on ground floor windows if they can be safely cleaned in order to save as much water as possible until the drought abates and recommends that businesses do all they can to help out in these difficult times to conserve water whenever possible.

As further drought orders are granted, the FWC will continue to push for similar rulings in these areas in order to ensure the safety and livelihoods of window cleaners.

So far Sutton and East Surrey Water has received permission from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to impose a drought order. However, both Southern Water and Mid Kent Water have also applied for orders.

Contact details for the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC) are:
Telephone: 0161 432 8754
Fax: 0161 947-9033
E-mail: info@f-w-c..co.uk
Website: www.f-w-c..co.uk

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About Federation of Window Cleaners:
Formerly known as the National Federation of Master Window & General Cleaners. The Federation was formed in 1947 to establish an authoritative organisation specifically concerned with the Window Cleaning Industry. The federation seeks to improve the image of the window and general cleaner endeavouring to support health and safety training and to promote the ongoing improvement of tools, equipment and insurance for the industry. For more info about the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC), please visit www.f-w-c.co.uk