Pole Management
- "Slippery When Wet" signs and cones should be placed where people may walk.
- Reject water should be directed to a storm drain or grassy area. Avoid allowing water to puddle in an area.
- Moving the Water-Fed pole around or through a heavy traffic area is generally a two-man job.
- The operator must be aware of the extra hose gathered at the end of the pole when moving or stepping from one window to the next.
- A two-man rotation is recommended. This allows one man to watch the work area/hazards while the pole man concentrates on the work. The two men can switch off to cut down on fatigue.
Correct Pole Usage
- The pole should be positioned in the 1:3 ratio, the worker should be 1/3 the height of the pole away from the wall. This allows for the weight to be displaced on the building façade.
- The brush should be rested on the glass/building façade when ever possible to protect against sudden wind gusts and worker fatigue.
- Brush rinsing is the most popular. Tilt the brush to one side allowing for the two streams to flow onto the glass. This will also cut down on worker fatigue. Holding the pole totally away from the glass is tiring.
- Another take on rinsing; it can be done by moving closer to the building and resting the pole on the ground. Place a foot across the back of the pole to avoid a kick-out. OK on poles up to 32ft.
- Do not scrub or rinse sideways with any pole above 10ft. This puts dangerous pressure on your spine/back area.
- The best way to work is to hold the pole at waist level (held close to the body’s side) and rock back and forth to cover the glass surfaces. Short steps can be taken to “walk” the pole up and down the glass.
- Tilt the pole to one side or the other to “hop” over the mullion to reduce fatigue. This allows the brush weight to remain on the glass.
- Poles over 32ft. must be lowered prior to moving around a building corner. It’s easy to lose control of a pole otherwise.
- All motions should be confined to the waist to shoulder region. Avoid extending the arms above the shoulder height.
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Raising and Lowering Water-Fed Poles
Telescoping Poles – It is best to use the Horizontal method, laying the pole flat on the ground and walking it up. When raising poles above 36 feet, a second worker should be involved. Place the base of the pole against the building (a non-glass surface), pick up the pole at the brush end and walk the pole, hand-over-hand, to the building. The base worker should place a foot over the top of the base to avoid the Water-Fed pole bottom from flipping up or moving when rising.
Sectional Poles – They are not designed to be raised horizontally; sections should be added under the top section one at a time; slide the pole up a few feet and add the next section.
Electrical Hazards
Brush Direction - The brush should always be facing the building façade when raising and lowering a Water-Fed Pole.
Wind - Do not raise Water-Fed poles in 25 mph. or higher winds. When
resting the Water-Fed pole do not walk away any farther then 4ft.
Power Lines - The lifting area must be clear of all power lines.
Trees - The lifting area must be clear of trees and branches.
Electric Storms: Cease work when lightning is in the area. Water-Fed poles can conduct electricity and act as lightning rods.
Electric Meters/Junction Boxes: Workers must stay 12ft. away from Junction Boxes while working with Water-Fed poles. Care must be taken with rinsing around these areas when the run-off can flow over the areas.
Power Lines: Workers must stay 12ft. away from any power lines while using a Water-Fed Pole.
Electric Boxes/Sockets: Never brush or rinse over these areas to avoid electric shock.
Light Fixtures: Power/Lights must be turned off when working around these areas. This is very important when cleaning awnings.
Water Hazards
Entrances: Care must be taken around entry area to stop seepage into the area. Entry ways often leak when rinsed. Have a floor squeegee on hand.
Walkways: Water run off can create unsafe walkways. Have a floor squeegee on hand.
Freezing Weather: water will freeze quickly and ice up sidewalks and entry ways. If working in colder weather extreme care must be taken.
Window Leakage: First Cleanings should be monitored to insure no leakage through the glass framing. This is very common on atriums.
Ground Hazards
Ground Cover: Workers must survey grassy areas prior to work to identify areas that may include: vines, holes in the ground, hoses, rocks, tree roots and other tripping hazards.
Foot Movement: Workers should not slide feet from one area to the next, feet should be raised straight up in a stomping method to avoid tripping.
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