CODE COMPLIANCE - OSHA and ANSI - IWCA I 14.1

For almost half a century, professional window cleaning at commercial and institutional facilities developed without a clear and concise document regulating window cleaning operations. Equipment and practices evolved faster than standards and codes were being written.

Consequently, newer and safer equipment was prohibited because their use was not authorized, despite the equipment having been found to provide a greater level of safety through industry statistics, accident studies, research and development. Conversely, unsafe practices and improvised methods became standard practices, and were often passed on from worker to worker. This lack of resource material and guidance for the professional window cleaner and the property manager fueled rapid changes within the window cleaning profession. It is for these reasons a new window cleaning standard was developed. The ANSI/IWCA I-14.1 document supersedes all previous window cleaning standards. It has quickly become the resource guide the window cleaning industry regularly consults for guidance.

Under the ANSI/IWCA I-14 Window Cleaning Safety Standard, both the property manager and the window cleaning contractor are required to work together to achieve compliance. Important requirements that the I-14 Standard imposes include:

1. Assurances by the Property Professional

Property professionals are required to provide documentation to their window cleaning contractor that covers the installation, engineering, and inspection of the following:

• Permanent window-cleaning equipment installed on buildings such as a powered platform, platform supports, roof anchors, window cleaner belt anchors, permanent ladders or any other equipment to be used, has been inspected and maintained by the building owner, manager or operating agent according to state and local codes and the manufacturer's guidelines.
• A copy of the maintenance records and inspection documents must be provided to the window cleaning contractor prior to use.
• All applicable information from the manufacturers of the devices, including load ratings, intended use and limitations and instructions will also need to be supplied to the window cleaning contractor.

2. Assurances by the Window Cleaning Contractor

The window cleaning contractor is required to provide written assurances to the building owner, managers or agents, the following written assurances:

• That they will perform their services in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws, licensing
• Verifiable training documents, evidencing that employees are adequately trained and certified in operating all of the equipment to be used on the project.
• Any equipment brought to the building by the contractor shall be designed, maintained and inspected in accordance with industry standards.

3. Plan of Service

The window cleaning contractor, a consultant or an engineer generally prepares the Plan of Service. The building owner or operating agent should keep a copy on file while the service is being performed.

4. Fall Protection and Anchor Points

Falls in the workplace represent the greatest hazard to professional window cleaners on a daily basis and many building roofs are not equipped with proper fall protection.

The most critical component in a suspended access system are anchor points designed and verified to withstand the loads imposed on the anchor, and the loads transferred to the structure. A building cannot comply with any of the requirements required by OSHA and the ANSI/IWCA I-14 Window Cleaning Safety Standard, unless adequate anchor points on the roof are in place or installed. Annual inspections of the system is also required by OSHA and ANSI.