Any H&S bods in here?
Discussion
We install windows for domestic customers. They are a lot of tenement flats in Glasgow and most companies shy away form doing the upper floors due to H&S, insurance or other concerns (I'm never sure if it's a convenient excuse as lugging huge window up three flights of stairs isn't easy).
So if we want to install windows at max 3rd floor level... what do we need to do? Most of the work is done with feet on the floor, however at certain points they would stand on the cill, not outside the building line but still aiui 'at height'. A scaffold isn't hugely practical, we sometimes use towers for other things but again not hugely practical as need a second van to move it in. So we come to restraints, and this is the question, if the guy wears a fall arrest or restraint harness/rope, what/where does he anchor it to, bearing in mind it's someone's home?
Or is there some other way I haven't thought of?
So if we want to install windows at max 3rd floor level... what do we need to do? Most of the work is done with feet on the floor, however at certain points they would stand on the cill, not outside the building line but still aiui 'at height'. A scaffold isn't hugely practical, we sometimes use towers for other things but again not hugely practical as need a second van to move it in. So we come to restraints, and this is the question, if the guy wears a fall arrest or restraint harness/rope, what/where does he anchor it to, bearing in mind it's someone's home?
Or is there some other way I haven't thought of?
Can't you use something like this
https://www.safetyliftingear.com/products/gf-at060...
Or this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMQeFQPg8mo
https://www.safetyliftingear.com/products/gf-at060...
Or this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMQeFQPg8mo
skilly1 said:
Can't you use something like this
https://www.safetyliftingear.com/products/gf-at060...
Or this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMQeFQPg8mo
Even one on Amazonhttps://www.safetyliftingear.com/products/gf-at060...
Or this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMQeFQPg8mo
https://www.amazon.com/FallTech-7465A-Temporary-Re...
technodup said:
There are a lot of tenement flats in Glasgow and most companies shy away form doing the upper floors due to H&S, insurance or other concerns (I'm never sure if it's a convenient excuse as lugging huge window up three flights of stairs isn't easy).
Having done at least 100 2nd and 3rd floor DG installations in and around Glasgow I can categorically state that you're talking nonsense. They're done every day and don't need to be done off cherry pickers, towers or scaffolding. The ONLY thing they MIGHT need is somebody on the pavement below to ensure passerby safety from falling debris (which really only needs the fitter to take care to prevent anyway).
Groat said:
technodup said:
There are a lot of tenement flats in Glasgow and most companies shy away form doing the upper floors due to H&S, insurance or other concerns (I'm never sure if it's a convenient excuse as lugging huge window up three flights of stairs isn't easy).
Having done at least 100 2nd and 3rd floor DG installations in and around Glasgow I can categorically state that you're talking nonsense. They're done every day and don't need to be done off cherry pickers, towers or scaffolding. The ONLY thing they MIGHT need is somebody on the pavement below to ensure passerby safety from falling debris (which really only needs the fitter to take care to prevent anyway).
As for the useful answers above, thanks. I'll speak to our insurers and take their advice. If we're going to do them I want to make sure I'm covered as far as possible.

( Of course, if you've much involvement in tradeswork in a city, sooner or later you'd get involved with projects which are council or insurer supervised including mandatory involvement of CS and other qualified professional overseers and managers. And these not infrequently require very tight adherence to manifold regulatory regimes. So you'd be very familiar with any special requirements for things like window installation in upper floors.
But hey ho! What does experience buy you at the shops? )

Edited by Groat on Wednesday 26th January 20:53
How about a rope grab system? We use these for places where there is no safe system of work.
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/miller-aut...
You need to be attached to something secure, we use:
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/protecta-c...
On commercial properties the roof will have something substantial to attach to.
Thinking on your use, it wouldn’t stop your operative falling out the window, so ignore all of the above.
I always ask suppliers, as they can recommend kit for different situations.
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/miller-aut...
You need to be attached to something secure, we use:
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/protecta-c...
On commercial properties the roof will have something substantial to attach to.
Thinking on your use, it wouldn’t stop your operative falling out the window, so ignore all of the above.
I always ask suppliers, as they can recommend kit for different situations.
Under the Work at Height Regulations you have the Hierarchy of control which should be considered and in this order:
- Avoid working at height completely. ...
- Prevent falls using a safe place to carry out work. ...
- Prevent falls using collective equipment. ...
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE): Fall restraint. ...
- Minimise the distance the worker could fall. ...
- Minimise the impact of a fall. ...
- Use PPE: Fall arrest.
This is then coupled with Equipment hierarchy of:
- Fixed Scaffolding
- MEWP
- Tower Scaffolding
- Ladders
You would find it very difficult to defend a litigation case if appropriate risk management wasn't adopted and the cheapest option only was the first priority. There would also be a liability aspect on the client if they were aware this task couldn't be undertaken safely for the contract value.
What does your Risk Assessment state as Control Measures and Risk Evaluation?
- Avoid working at height completely. ...
- Prevent falls using a safe place to carry out work. ...
- Prevent falls using collective equipment. ...
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE): Fall restraint. ...
- Minimise the distance the worker could fall. ...
- Minimise the impact of a fall. ...
- Use PPE: Fall arrest.
This is then coupled with Equipment hierarchy of:
- Fixed Scaffolding
- MEWP
- Tower Scaffolding
- Ladders
You would find it very difficult to defend a litigation case if appropriate risk management wasn't adopted and the cheapest option only was the first priority. There would also be a liability aspect on the client if they were aware this task couldn't be undertaken safely for the contract value.
What does your Risk Assessment state as Control Measures and Risk Evaluation?
How about a rope grab system? We use these for places where there is no safe system of work.
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/miller-aut...
You need to be attached to something secure, we use:
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/protecta-c...
On commercial properties the roof will have something substantial to attach to.
Thinking on your use, it wouldn’t stop your operative falling out the window, so ignore all of the above.
I always ask suppliers, as they can recommend kit for different situations.
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/miller-aut...
You need to be attached to something secure, we use:
https://www.heightsafety.uk.com/product/protecta-c...
On commercial properties the roof will have something substantial to attach to.
Thinking on your use, it wouldn’t stop your operative falling out the window, so ignore all of the above.
I always ask suppliers, as they can recommend kit for different situations.
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