Introduction
When you hire a commercial window cleaning company, you’re not just paying for clean glass. You’re entering into a working relationship that carries legal obligations for both parties. As a building owner or manager in Manchester, understanding your health and safety responsibilities and knowing what to expect from your cleaning contractor could protect you from serious legal and financial liability.
This guide covers the key health and safety requirements relevant to commercial window cleaning in the UK, and what you should look for when choosing a contractor.
The Legal Framework
Commercial window cleaning in the UK is governed by a number of pieces of legislation, including:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which places a duty of care on both employers and those who control premises
- The Work at Height Regulations 2005 which require all work at height to be properly planned, supervised and carried out safely
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which require risk assessments to be carried out before any work begins
As a building manager or owner, you have a legal duty to ensure that any contractor working on your premises has access to relevant information about your site and works in a safe manner. This means you can’t simply hire the cheapest quote and ignore what happens next.
What Your Window Cleaning Contractor Should Provide
Any professional commercial window cleaning company operating in Manchester should be able to provide the following before starting work on your site:
Risk Assessment
A written risk assessment identifying the hazards associated with cleaning your specific building including working at height, access constraints, proximity to public areas and any building-specific risks.
Method Statement
A method statement setting out exactly how the work will be carried out what equipment will be used, how operatives will access the windows, what controls are in place to manage risks, and emergency procedures.
Public Liability Insurance
A valid public liability insurance policy typically a minimum of £2 million but often £5 million or more for commercial contracts. Ask to see the certificate, not just confirmation that it exists.
Employer’s Liability Insurance
If the company employs staff (rather than being a sole trader), they are legally required to hold employer’s liability insurance. Again, ask for the certificate.
The Importance of Working at Height Compliance
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers to take every reasonably practicable measure to avoid working at height in the first place. Where it can’t be avoided, it must be properly managed.
This is one of the reasons why modern waterfed pole systems which allow operatives to clean from ground level have become the method of choice for most commercial window cleaning. By keeping workers on the ground, compliant contractors significantly reduce the risk of falls.
Be wary of any contractor who routinely uses ladders as their primary means of access for high-level cleaning. Ladders are considered a last resort under the 2005 regulations, not a standard tool.
What You Should Ask Before Signing a Contract
Before agreeing to any commercial window cleaning contract in Manchester, ask the following questions:
- Can you provide a risk assessment and method statement for our site?
- Are your operatives trained and do they hold relevant certifications?
- What public liability and employer’s liability insurance do you carry?
- How do you handle windows at height what access equipment do you use?
- Are you registered with any trade bodies or accreditation schemes?
A reputable contractor will answer all of these questions without hesitation. If you’re met with vagueness or pushback, that’s a red flag.
Your Responsibilities as a Building Manager
Health and safety compliance isn’t just the contractor’s responsibility. As the person controlling the premises, you should:
- Ensure your contractor has access to relevant information about your building before work begins
- Carry out your own basic check that the contractor is properly insured and competent
- Inform operatives of any site-specific hazards they need to be aware of
- Keep records of the contractors you use and the documentation they provide
Failure to take reasonable steps could leave you exposed in the event of an accident on your site.
Manchester Window Cleaners: Compliance You Can Count On
At Manchester Window Cleaners, health and safety compliance is built into everything we do. We provide full risk assessments and method statements for every commercial site, operate with comprehensive insurance, and use modern reach and wash systems to minimise risk. To find out more about how we manage safe and professional commercial window cleaning in Manchester, get in touch with our team for a free site assessment and quote.
