RAMS for Window Cleaners
Generate compliant risk assessments for window cleaning operations in under 2 minutes. WAHR 2005, COSHH, LOLER, and lone working controls cited automatically.
Built with UK health & safety regulations in mind
Window cleaning is one of the most hazardous trades in the services sector, primarily because falls from height remain the single biggest cause of fatal workplace injuries in the UK. Whether working from ladders on residential properties, operating a reach-and-wash system on a multi-storey commercial building, or using a building maintenance unit (BMU) on a high-rise tower, window cleaners face daily exposure to serious height risk.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) apply to all window cleaning work above ground level, without exception. This includes ladder use. Since WAHR 2005, ladder use must be justified against the hierarchy of control: can the work be done from the ground using water-fed poles? If not, can collective fall protection be used? Only when other options are not reasonably practicable should personal fall protection or ladders be used as the primary means.
For commercial window cleaning contracts, facilities managers, building management companies, and property managing agents require RAMS as standard documentation before any window cleaning operation begins. swiftRMS generates a compliant window cleaning RAMS in under 2 minutes: covering WAHR 2005, COSHH controls for cleaning chemicals, lone working, and the specific access method being used.
What Window Cleaners RAMS Must Include
Compliant risk assessments for window cleaners work must cover these specific areas
Access method risk assessment and WAHR hierarchy
Every window cleaning RAMS must document the hierarchy of access control under WAHR 2005. Ground-level water-fed pole is the preferred option for buildings up to 4-5 storeys. Above this, MEWP, scaffold, or rope access may be required. The RAMS must justify the chosen method.
Ladder use justification
Ladders may only be used as the primary means of access for low-risk, short-duration tasks where the use of other equipment is not reasonably practicable. The HSE's ladder guidance and WAHR 2005 Schedule 6 set out the conditions under which ladder use is acceptable. Your RAMS must document this justification.
COSHH assessment for cleaning chemicals
Window cleaning solutions, glass restorer chemicals, algae removers, and specialist glass treatments are all covered by COSHH Regulations 2002. SDS sheets must be reviewed, exposure limits checked against EH40, and appropriate PPE specified.
Lone working controls
Many window cleaning operatives work alone, particularly on residential routes. RAMS must document lone working controls: check-in procedures, mobile communication, and the response plan for an incident involving an incapacitated operative.
Public protection and exclusion zones
Falling water, squeegees, and cleaning equipment can injure passing pedestrians. Where cleaning work takes place above pedestrian areas, exclusion zones, barriers, or wet floor signs must be documented.
BMU and rope access systems
Building maintenance units are subject to LOLER 1998 (as lifting equipment) and PUWER 1998. Rope access window cleaning requires IRATA-qualified technicians. RAMS must confirm qualifications and the relevant technical standards.
Common Window Cleaners Tasks That Require RAMS
Generate RAMS for any of these tasks in minutes, not hours
Residential property cleaning from ladder
The most common domestic window cleaning task. WAHR ladder justification required. RAMS must document ladder type (class and condition), footing, and use angle.
Commercial building cleaning with water-fed pole system
Ground-based or MEWP-mounted. COSHH for purified water system chemicals. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic management where poles extend over walkways.
High-rise MEWP cleaning
Operating a cherry picker or scissor lift. LOLER applies to MEWP inspection. Trained operator certificate required. RAMS must cover MEWP type, operating envelope, and outrigger stability.
Rope access window cleaning (abseiling)
IRATA qualification required. Rigging inspection under LOLER, anchor point certification, rescue plan. RAMS must confirm technician IRATA level and the rescue procedure.
BMU (building maintenance unit) operation
Building-specific equipment subject to LOLER statutory examination. RAMS must reference the BMU's written scheme of examination, operator competency, and wind speed operating limits.
Internal atrium and skylight cleaning
Working at height inside atria: access platforms, mobile towers, or MEWP. Fragile rooflight and glass consideration. Wet floors as a by-product of cleaning.
Post-construction clean (external glass)
Following construction: working alongside other trades in a CDM environment, removing construction deposits from glass using chemical treatments (COSHH applies).
UK Legislation for Window Cleaners Risk Assessments
Every RAMS automatically cites the relevant UK legislation and industry standards
Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR)
The primary legislation for all window cleaning work. The hierarchy of control (avoid, prevent, mitigate) must be applied and documented in every RAMS. Schedule 6 covers ladder use requirements.
COSHH Regulations 2002
Applies to all cleaning chemicals, descalers, glass restorers, and specialist treatments. WELs from EH40 must be checked for each product.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
Applies to BMUs, MEWPs, rope access equipment, and any other lifting equipment used to access heights.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Applies to all work equipment, including water-fed pole systems, MEWPs, and cleaning equipment.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Requires suitable and sufficient risk assessment for lone working and all work activities.
BS 8454
Code of practice for the delivery of cleaning and rope access operations. Relevant where rope access techniques are used.
How swiftRMS Generates Window Cleaners RAMS
swiftRMS generates window cleaning RAMS by asking about the building type, number of storeys, the access method to be used, the cleaning chemicals, and whether lone working or public proximity is a factor.
Water-fed pole selection generates a ground-based COSHH and lone working RAMS. MEWP selection generates LOLER, WAHR, and PUWER controls. Rope access selection generates IRATA qualification requirements, rigging controls, and rescue plan prompts.
The WAHR hierarchy of control is documented in every output: demonstrating that the access method was chosen through a structured assessment, not default. The PDF is formatted for professional submission to facilities managers, building management companies, or as part of a contractor pre-qualification questionnaire.
Frequently Asked Questions
The legal obligation to assess risk applies to all work, including domestic cleaning. For residential properties, a standing RAMS covering your standard access methods (ladder, pole) satisfies the requirement. For commercial properties, a specific RAMS is expected before work begins.
Yes, but only where the WAHR hierarchy has been followed and the use of other equipment is not reasonably practicable. Ladders are appropriate for short-duration tasks at low heights where a water-fed pole system would not reach. The justification must be documented in the RAMS. Simply preferring ladders is not sufficient justification.
IRATA Level 1 is the entry-level qualification for industrial rope access technicians. Level 2 allows supervising a Level 1 worker. Level 3 is required for rescues and for supervising rope access operations. Rope access window cleaning teams must include at least one Level 2 or Level 3 technician per working team.
No. LOLER applies to lifting equipment: MEWPs, BMUs, rope access systems, and hoists. A ground-based water-fed pole system is not lifting equipment and is not subject to LOLER. It is, however, work equipment under PUWER and must be maintained and inspected appropriately.
Generate Your First Window Cleaners RAMS Free
No credit card required. Generate a compliant, legislation-cited RAMS in under 2 minutes and download the PDF immediately.