Fall Protection Anchors
Those using Rope Descent Systems are required to have anchors identified and certified as an acceptable anchor point. These anchors are supposed to be capable of supporting 5000lbs.
Safety in a Toolbox - How to Increase Work Culture and Compliance
Toolbox Safety, also known as Toolbox Talks are short 5-10 minute safety briefs on day-to-day safety procedures. They are used as short reminders of safety concepts that employees should have received during training.
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Tribute: April 1991 Safety and Training Committee Report
This article pays tribute to the IWCA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the 2020 IWCA Convention in Georgia.
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Ladder Transfer
When an employee uses a ladder to gain access to an upper level certain OSHA rules are in place besides those that would be required when working from the ladder.
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Noise Hazards
The difficulty on the surface is how to determine how many decibels is too much. And this hazard is unlike other hazards where the negative effects are seen relatively soon.
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To Helmet or Not to Helmet - That is The Question
Many companies are adopting the wearing of helmets while performing high rise work. Is this just an image thing? Does it make one safe? Is it OSHA required?
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Stack Ladders
There are some serious safety concerns with stack ladders that have to be adhered to besides the normal concerns of ladders like ladder angle, unstable base and unstable top.
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Safety Manuals
You receive a call from the project manager stating that they need to see a copy of your safety manual. "Uh, sure we will get that right over!" Now the panic sets in. "What do they mean my safety manual?”
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Falling Objects
OSHA’s 1910 General Industry Standard has this to say about falling objects while engaged in Rope Descent Work-
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Are You Rescue Ready or Need Rescuing?
Imagine if you were on a jobsite and your or your co-worker was in full fall arrest hanging on the side of a building in your harness . . .
What now?
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IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE
This year, IWCA is going to be promoting several of the OSHA initiatives for 2018. We encourage you to actively participate in these programs.
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OSHA 1910 23 Ladder Safety
One of the most dangerous tools that we have on our truck is a ladder. In fact, this tool has seriously injured more people in our industry than any other tool. Yet, its often a tool we don’t take the time to train employees or even ourselves on.
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Chemical Labels
A very common thing to do in service industry is to buy chemicals in the bulk.
So how does an employer continue to save money while meeting this requirement?
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Electrical Hazards
Every year tens of thousands of people are injured or killed from electrical shocks or contacts in the United States. Employees are exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, burns, fires and explosions. It is essential to understand that electricity is lethal for us and how we can save our lives.
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The importance of a documented Safety Plan
Benefits of a Good documented safety plan.Protects the employees’ well-being.
Reduces the amount of money paid out in:
Health insurance benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits and wages for temporary help.
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Site Assessments and Work Plans
by Stefan Bright
There has been a lot of chatter regarding the new OSHA regulations as they seem to be very specific to the window cleaning industry. The new Walking and Working Surfaces Subpart D Regulations pertain to fall hazards, portable ladders (and fixed) falling object hazards and training. Every professional window cleaner in the USA is exposed to some type of all 4 of these topics on a daily basis.
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OSHA Update
Industry Update Article
Prior to 1991, the use of rope descent equipment for window cleaning and other work at heights applications in the USA was for the most part, considered illegal. This was due to the fact that the equipment was not addressed by any regulatory or standards body. If not for the efforts of 40 or so professional window cleaners and the early founders of the IWCA, OSHA would not have held a public hearing in September, 1990 to determine the feasibility of using rope access equipment for building maintenance, particularly professional window cleaning.
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Why Conduct Regular Safety Meetings?
Why does the International Window Cleaning Association recommend conducting safety meetings on a regular basis with your management and employees?
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Final Rule for Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protection Systems
Every issue we will highlight a safety aspect of a window cleaners business. We hope to bring you a variety of topics that will help keep you safe on the job.
