The evolving world of window cleaning

HISTORICALLY, COMMERCIAL window cleaning in London was quite different from today. Many window cleaners relied on traditional methods, using ladders, squeegees and, sometimes, buckets of soapy water! High-rise buildings were becoming more common, so the use of scaffolding or bosun's chairs was typical for higher floors.

Health and safety standards were not as stringent as they are now, so workers faced significant risks, often without proper safety equipment. The job was labour intensive, requiring physical strength and agility. The industry was also less mechanised with many window cleaners self-employed or part of small businesses. 

The rise of skyscrapers in the 1960s led to more demand for professional cleaning services but the techniques and equipment evolved gradually over the following decades. Overall, it was a demanding job that required skill and resilience.

Today, many of the traditional qualities required to work in this industry remain and while safety legislation has improved conditions greatly, the underlying risks are still present and have to be minimised. Some of these risks include:

• Falls: working at heights poses a significant risk of falling, especially if equipment isn’t used properly or is not maintained correctly;
• Equipment failure: ropes, harnesses and other equipment can fail, leading to serious accidents. Inspection, proper storage and maintenance are vital and are legal requirements;
• Weather conditions: wind, rain, or icy conditions can make the job not just unpleasant but dangerous, increasing the risk of slips and falls as well as falling objects bringing danger below;
• Hazards below: working near busy streets can pose risks from passing vehicles or pedestrians;
• Health risks: Exposure to chemicals in cleaning solutions can be harmful without proper protective gear;
• Electrical hazards: Proximity to power lines and electrical installations can pose additional risks. This is truer today than ever before where modern equipment is being developed, eradicating the need to work at height but then bringing window cleaners into contact with power lines by accidental contact with long poles and reach and wash equipment;
• Limited emergency access: In the event of an accident, getting emergency services to the site can be challenging.

Window cleaning in London is primarily governed by several pieces of legislation, including:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which established the duty of employers to ensure the health and safety of employees and others who may be affected by their work activities.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess risk and record risk reduction measures and then monitor and review these risks, communicating all to people affected.
• The Work at Height Regulations 2005 specifically addressed the risks associated with working at height, which is a common aspect of window cleaning and created a hierarchy of access for employers to work to, where working from the ground - so eradicating the risk of a fall, should be the favoured access method and rope access -  where human error at some point during the process is the most likely point of failure, can only be used as a last resort. The use of ladders, scaffolds, cradles and MEWPs all sit in between and all methods are subject to formal risk assessment. 
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations require employers to control substances that can be hazardous to health, which may include cleaning chemicals used in window cleaning.

Window cleaning companies must comply with these regulations to ensure safety and legality in their operations and provide a safe workplace, which ought to be expected in any event. Information technology has had a positive impact in this area. Documentation such as examination of equipment, risk assessments and any training that window cleaners and management teams have undertaken, can be signed off electronically and held online, which in turn has brought greater control.

Since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974 and all of the subsequent legislation, much progress has been made in the industry in adhering to safety protocols. The legislation is clear and has become more well-defined, and methods are well practised. Training, information, instruction, supervision, suitability of staff, which are all legal requirements under the Act, should now be the absolute norm for window cleaners in London - the legislation is 50 years old! 

The lurking danger is ‘unconscious competence’ where someone who carries out a practice or uses a method or route frequently, momentarily switches off, which can start a chain of events leading to an accident. This is why rope access - the method most reliant on human behaviours, can only be a last resort.

As in every part of life, the last 50 years has seen an evolution in working practices and window cleaning is no different. What we might expect to see over the next 50 years is not yet known but there are some signs of change already starting to appear and we can expect to see the window cleaning industry evolve again over the coming years.

The industry is highly competitive and this brings innovation. Ideas and adaptability to market needs will likely drive the future of commercial window cleaning in London and, from what we can see today, this is likely to be around technology, sustainability, diversity and people.

Technological innovation

Advances in cleaning technology, such as robotic cleaners and drones, may become more prevalent, thus increasing efficiency and safety and, as buildings become more complex, integrated services that include window cleaning as part of overall building maintenance, might gain popularity.

The future of robotics in window cleaning in London looks promising, with several potential advancements. Drones or robotic arms could efficiently clean windows with reduced human intervention.

Robots could reduce the risks associated with high-altitude cleaning, minimising the need for scaffolding or harnesses. They can also work in various weather conditions, improving efficiency. In turn, this could impact operational practices and regulatory changes may follow - having implications for the wider industry and work at height in general. Integrating AI and sensors could allow robots to assess dirt levels and determine the best cleaning methods, ensuring optimal performance and resource use.

As building designs become more complex, robots can be integrated into building management systems for regular maintenance, not just window cleaning. While the technology is still developing, London’s innovative environment could see these solutions become commonplace in the near future and any changes in regulations regarding working at height and environmental standards could influence demand for window cleaning services.

Sustainability

Eco-friendly practices - using biodegradable cleaning agents and ensuring water usage is minimised, are increasingly being demanded by clients, and the pressure is likely to increase. Already, window cleaners are looking for more eco-friendly methods of transport. Transporting hundreds of litres of deionised water in electric vehicles is creating extra challenges but in time, these are likely to be overcome as technology improves.

Water is becoming a talking point and using recycled or grey water will become commonplace - most likely where water will also be captured and used for other purposes making it go further. Window cleaners do not use large amounts of water in their traditional processes, although there is some way to go for reach and wash systems but the industry most likely will be expected to play its part.

Robotics could lead to more environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, using less water and eco-friendly detergents while also reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional cleaning methods.

Diversity and people

The window cleaning workforce is changing each year along with other service industries. Even this once male dominated industry is now modernising and attracting different nationalities and genders, offering flexible working and benefits to match other disciplines whilst keeping its ‘specialist’ tag and, therefore, offering career opportunities and the chance to learn and develop. It is possible to move from a manual to management position gaining experience, skills and knowledge, along the way.

In summary, the window cleaning industry is evolving and the future of commercial window cleaning in London is likely to be shaped by several trends; and innovation, sustainability and adaptability to market needs will likely drive the future of commercial window cleaning. This is really no different to how it has been for some time but now, more than ever, this is a vibrant and energising sector to be involved in.

David Saville is executive committee member of the Federation of Window Cleaners and managing director of Principle Cleaning Services’ Vertical and Specialist Cleaning Division

For more information, visit www.principleclean.com