Why a dedicated safety approach matters for Melbourne window cleaners

Window cleaning often involves work at height, exposure to chemicals, public access areas and moving equipment. In Victoria, duties under the Work Health & Safety framework demand that employers and contractors eliminate or, where not reasonably practicable, minimise risks to health and safety. This guide summarises equipment, PPE and systems you must consider to keep workers, clients and the public safe.

Core regulations and standards to follow

Contractors should build safety programs around the following Australian and Victorian frameworks and standards:

1. Safe Work Australia model Codes of Practice and guidance on managing risks at heights and hazardous chemicals.
2. WorkSafe Victoria guidance for cleaning and high-risk work, licence requirements and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS).
3. Relevant Australian Standards such as AS/NZS 1891 series (industrial fall-arrest systems) and standards for ladders, harnesses and anchorage.
4. Industry-recognised rope access training such as IRATA or equivalent competency schemes for high-rise work.

These form the legal and practical baseline for contractor obligations, equipment selection and worker training.

Access methods: Risks and appropriate equipment

Choosing the right access method reduces risk. Typical options used in Melbourne include:

1. Rope access / abseiling

   Used for high-rise façades. Must be carried out by trained and certified rope access technicians (IRATA or equivalent). Use dual-rope systems (working and backup), rated anchors, and follow documented anchorage verification procedures.

2. Water-fed extension poles

   Ideal for many mid-level and ground-access glazing jobs. They reduce the need for ladders or elevated platforms but require training for safe handling and avoiding overhead hazards (wires, trees).

3. Elevated work platforms (EWPs) and scaffolding

   Appropriate for sustained access at height. Ensure operators are trained, EWPs are inspected and SWMS cover exclusion zones beneath work areas.

4. Ladders

   Only for short-duration, low-risk tasks when alternatives are not reasonably practicable. Use appropriate ladder type, secure base, three-point contact and isolation of traffic if working near pedestrians.

PPE: What you must supply, inspect and replace

Providing PPE is only one part of the control hierarchy — elimination, substitution and engineering controls should be used first. When PPE is required, ensure items meet applicable standards, are correctly fitted and regularly inspected.

Essential PPE list (highlighted primary items)

• Full-body harnesses — compliant with AS/NZS 1891, sized and fitted to the worker.
• Fall-arrest lanyards and energy absorbers — rated and appropriate length for the task; use shock-absorbing systems where needed.
• Anchorage equipment — certified anchors and anchor points with test documentation and inspection tags.
• Helmets with chin straps — impact-rated for work at height and chemical splash protection if required.
• Safety eyewear — splash-resistant goggles for chemical cleaning solutions and full coverage when there’s splash risk.
• Gloves — non-slip and chemical-resistant where detergents or solvents are used; check SDS for compatible glove types.
• Non-slip safety footwear — good ankle support and soles designed for wet surfaces.
• Hi-vis clothing — for roadside or public-area works, complying with AS/NZS visibility requirements.
• Respiratory protection — when chemical vapours, aerosols or inhalation hazards exist; select based on SDS (P2/P3 or cartridge respirators as needed).

Ensure PPE is: inspected prior to each use, formally inspected at planned intervals (commonly every 6 months for harness systems or per manufacturer), and removed from service after any fall-arrest event or signs of damage.

Fall-arrest systems, harnesses and anchorage — best practice

Fall protection must be engineered and administratively controlled. Key expectations:

1. Choose full-body harnesses certified to AS/NZS 1891 and use compatible connectors/lanyards.
2. Use redundant systems for high-risk tasks — independent backup lines or secondary anchors.
3. Install or verify anchors with a competent person; maintain an anchor register with test dates and load ratings.
4. Document and practise rescue plans for suspended workers; timely rescue capability is mandatory because suspension trauma can lead to rapid deterioration.
5. Train all users on pre-use checks, webbing inspection, connector function and retirement criteria.

Rope access and high-rise considerations

Rope access requires documented competency and health checks. Contractors should:

1. Employ IRATA- or SPRAT-equivalent trained technicians and keep training records.
2. Use a two-rope system: primary working line and separate safety/backup line.
3. Conduct weather risk assessments — stop work in high winds, storms or lightning risk.
4. Maintain rescue equipment and conduct regular high-angle rescue drills on-site.

Chemical use, SDS handling and respiratory protection

Cleaning solutions can contain irritants or corrosives. Proper management includes:

1. Carry and maintain current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all products on-site and ensure workers can access them easily.
2. Choose less hazardous or eco-friendly cleaning agents where possible to reduce respiratory and skin risks.
3. Match glove type and respirator selection to the SDS hazard recommendations — e.g. nitrile gloves for certain solvents, cartridge respirators for specific vapours.
4. Provide training on safe mixing, dilution, labelling and spill response.

Inspection, maintenance and documentation

Good record-keeping is essential for compliance and safety:

1. Keep pre-use checklists for harnesses, ropes, anchors and EWPs. Require workers to sign off before work begins.
2. Maintain a formal inspection schedule (e.g. 6-monthly or manufacturer-specified) for all height safety equipment and keep inspection tags up to date.
3. Retire equipment according to manufacturer guidelines, after a fall event, or when defects are found.
4. Hold current SWMS, risk assessments and rescue plans on-site for each job and update them when conditions change.

Training, competency and licences

Training is a legal and practical requirement. Key items:

1. Working at heights training and site-specific induction for all staff involved in elevated tasks.
2. IRATA or equivalent rope access certification for personnel conducting rope access work.
3. EWP operator tickets and licences where EWPs are used.
4. First aid, high-angle rescue and chemical handling training where applicable.
5. Supervisor training in SWMS development, permit-to-work systems and incident investigation.

Rescue planning — the non-negotiable element

Every site where workers operate at height must have a documented and practised rescue plan. It should include:

1. Rescue roles and responsibilities with trained rescuers identified.
2. Rescue equipment readily available and compatible with the primary access system.
3. Timelines for reach/recovery to prevent suspension trauma and other injuries.
4. Regular drills and review following incidents or near misses.

Practical on-site controls and tips for contractors

1. Start every job with a brief toolbox talk covering hazards, weather updates and emergency contacts.
2. Use exclusion zones and signage under work zones to protect public safety when working from ladders, EWPs or below rope access operations.
3. Rotate tasks to reduce fatigue; fatigue increases the risk of slips, trips and mistakes with PPE.
4. Regularly review SDS and replace hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives where feasible.
5. Keep a log of equipment life cycles and replacement dates so worn gear isn’t overlooked.

Useful examples and middle-of-guide resources

For local services and practical examples of commercial window-cleaning teams operating in Melbourne you may find useful reference material at window cleaning Melbourne. Industry blogs and wider cleaning-industry safety discussions can be referenced for additional techniques and case studies; one such resource is the Stanley Steemer blog.

Recent alerts and considerations for 2025

As of 2025 the focus in Victoria remains on competency, equipment inspection and documented SWMS. Highlights contractors should note:

• Increased regulatory scrutiny of height safety anchors and third-party verification of rooftop anchor points — maintain anchor registers and test certificates.
• Greater emphasis on rescue capability and timely response after suspension events.
• Ongoing encouragement from regulators to adopt safer alternatives where reasonable (e.g. water-fed poles instead of ladders, or EWPs rather than ad-hoc rigging).

Always check the latest pages from WorkSafe Victoria and Safe Work Australia for immediate alerts or revised Codes of Practice.

Quick contractor checklist before starting any job

1. Has a job-specific SWMS been prepared and communicated?
2. Are personnel trained, ticketed and fit for duty (including rope access or EWP tickets)?
3. Is the correct PPE provided, fitted and inspected?
4. Are anchors and fall-arrest systems inspected, tagged and recorded in the anchor register?
5. Is a rescue plan in place and are rescue-trained staff available?
6. Are SDS for cleaning chemicals present and have controls been communicated?
7. Have public exclusion zones and traffic controls been implemented where necessary?