Category: Safety

What you don’t know you’re not getting could cost you. Like some cultures who pass their history down to the new generation through tribal elders by way of sharing their experiences, so to is the profession & culture of window cleaning moved forward through a system of mentorship. With no official textbooks, professional guidelines or testing, the success of a new window cleaner is largely affected by the expanse of knowledge (or limits) of his mentor. If you’ve read our previous article The History of Window Cleaning you’ll be familiar that our industry’s existence is deeply rooted in a tradition of problem solving and ingenuity. A natural prerequisite for our industry, old-fashioned common sense is a great tool to have in one’s kit, however common sense varies greatly from one person to another, and when dealing with important issues such as worker & public safety, common sense should not be solely relied on in the absence of a well thought out site plan. Window/property cleaning isn’t a ticketed trade, there are few unions, none of which are in Canada, and no regulating bodies to affirm one’s knowledge outside of rope access training. Additionally, WorksafeBC provides certain Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines, but again does not address “How” to perform the work, so again it seems we’re back to “common sense”. Consider the following two examples of a worksite in action. A. (Not Imagine Maintenance) What is going on in this photo? It is about 1:30 in the afternoon on a busy downtown street corner. There are two workers, cleaning BOTH sides of the canopy. The second worker is standing on the foot of the ladder so the ladder doesn’t slip.  The only store entrance is blocked off with caution tape, and there are many people inside the store who cannot get out, or customers who cannot get in. The pressure washer which is leaking profusely is set up on the opposite side of the caution tape creating a choke point for all sidewalk traffic; people with strollers, wheelchairs, etc, and the hose is in a big pile creating a further hazard. Now that the stage is set, lets breakdown the actual work in  progress. 1. Time of day – Even without a coffee shop, street corners are busy areas downtown. Pressure washing is unsuitable this late in the day due to increased pedestrian traffic and can negatively impact merchant operations. 2. Fall hazard – Worker is standing on a ladder that is not on a 4:1 safety ratio and is concerned about standing too high and the ladder slipping out underneath him, thus not only working at an inefficient angle for the cleaning method and using one hand to control the equipment, but he cannot even see if he is doing a good job. 3. Improper Technique – While the work is accomplished quite fast, it creates too many problems. First the workers sprayed the underside of the canopy which then continued to heavily drip for 10-15 minutes, then the tops were sprayed. Pressure washing requires two hands to safely control and needs direct contact with the surface to be effective, as you can see the bulk of the water is spraying overtop of the canopy. (Which is also spraying onto pedestrians). 4. Duplication of effort – There are two workers onsite but one task is being performed. The second worker is there solely to stand at the base of the ladder to prevent a slippage. If a different work plan were in place, double the amount of work could be performed in the same time. B. (Imagine Maintenance worksite) What is going on in this photo? The job started in the dark at 5:30 am concentrating on all major entrances & retailers (as there is a Starbucks here) All equipment and resources are focused on one side of the building at once, signage is highly visible, and a safe path for pedestrians is marked and visible underneath the canopy. Now that the stage is set, lets breakdown the work in progress. 1. Time of day – We began the work well in advance of the beginning of the business day to be wrapped up prior to the opening of the stores. In these situations, undersides are cleaned first so they have a chance to completely dry before 2. Efficient use of resources and materials – Ladders are set up facing the building with a proper 4:1 safety ratio enabling all three workers to perform separate tasks, no wasted effort. The worker is also able to safely stand at a height to create force on the tool to scrub the glass, and can visually see if the surface is cleaned. 3. Proper cleaning method – We are set up using soft bristle brushes and soap, to rinse we use a hose with nozzle attachment and spray directly into the gutter at the back of the canopy. Zero chance to get a pedestrian wet. With this method we could work all day around the public with safety if needed. 4. Care – It might be too small to see in this photo, but the beam of the ladder that comes in contact with the glass canopy is wrapped in foam so as to not chip or damage building materials. Finally, we created the least amount of disruption possible by all working on the same side of the building simultaneously. What to look for on your next quote? Now that you’ve learned about two different approaches to the same job you might be thinking how do you ensure you select the right contractor who will deliver the service you require for your property. The quote for the first example was likely presented as “Awning cleaning for X dollars” with little descriptive information, if it said it was to be performed by pressure washer that would have undoubtedly led someone to question the quote. So the first clue is absence of information. If the quote is too bare-bones, further inquiry could reveal that the technique

Hundreds of fires in Canada are sparked each year by clogged dryer vents. According to a 2007 report from Canadian Association of Fire Marshals, There are 23,086 structure fires annually in Canada. Dryer fires accounting for 2% of those fires works out to approximately 460 house fires per year are caused by clothes dryers which might seem like a low number until you consider that these fires are largely, highly preventable. Dryer Overheating Hot air enters the dryer chamber where your clothes are and moves around in the chamber to get rid of the moisture. Lint, a highly flammable byproduct of the drying process accumulates inside the dryer chamber as the clothes are being tossed around. As the hot air is vented from the dryer, it naturally carries with it the lint. This lint then begins to build up all along the venting system. Over time air flow in the exhaust duct becomes restricted causing the dryer to operate harder and hotter to dry the clothes which in turn causes a short circuit or ignites the lint. The fire then spreads by escaping through the ventilation duct, incinerating trapped lint and following its path into the building wall Warning signs The first sign you might have a problem is if your clothes are still wet after a cycle of drying. The dryer is designed to exhaust heat and moisture, if it cannot escape they dryer keeps working but cannot accomplish the drying. We once had a customer whose dryer stopped working for them while simultaneously becoming hot to the touch. During the cleaning process we discovered the homeowner had inadvertently put a disposable diaper in the dryer which after disintegrating released a heavy amount of lint into the duct. We were very happy to have solved this problem for her. The more laundry you do, the higher risk and more frequent cleaning schedule you’ll need. If your family is large, if you operate a hair salon, laundromat, property management company, hotel, daycare, or other business that regularly operates dryers or if you’re a multiunit strata with shared laundry are all factors that can lead to more frequent cleaning Some other signs to look for: • Drying time taking longer than normal • Musty door is noticed in the clothing following the drying cycle • Clothing is unusually hot to the touch • Dryer vent hood flap does not open as it should during operation • Debris is noticed within the outside vent opening • Surface of dryer is very hot to the touch • Excessive heat in laundry room Cleaning and tips Most fire departments recommend an annual cleaning service for most single-dwelling residential homes. More often if your usage is significantly higher. Professional cleaning is relatively inexpensive given its benefits at around $150. In addition to the reduced threat of fire, a cleaning can help pay for itself through the improved efficiency with less drying time. Another advantage to hiring an experienced and reliable professional is that they have likely seen most every type of configuration and can clean your unit more efficiently while making repairs and recommendations to improve the entire system. One last thing to consider is that most laundry areas are in the mechanical area of your home that includes the furnace and hot water tank. It is a very good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in this area to protect all of these appliances and your home. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/dryer-fires-and-how-to-prevent-them#sthash.lNgjlNf9.dpuf

Save money and possibly your home with this quick fix.  Dryer vents are a fire hazard, and can be a real maintenance issue and if you’ve read our previous article you should have a good understanding on the importance of regularly scheduled dryer vent cleaning. If one of your buildings is having an ongoing issue, we have a suggestion that might help solve the problem. Change the exterior vent cover. Often builders place orders for vents without acknowledging these vents perform a different function and therefore require a different vent cover. Perhaps they get cost savings by buying the same style in bulk. Whatever the case, there are numerous ways to cut corners on a job for which the repercussions aren’t immediately felt. What should you look for? Perform an inspection of the vent covers on the outside of the building. If the wrong type of cover is used it can actually prevent the hot air and lint from escaping the building. Dryer vents are different from any other vent in that more than just air is meant to escape.  The best vent is a cover with a simple flap with no mesh grille, it opens when air forces it, and closes when the dryer is off. The problems occur when the openings are too small or there is mesh installed over the vent as they clog very easily. In addition, these small openings do not allow the use of professional dryer vent cleaning tools. Good air flow is critical for proper venting. Anything that prohibits lint from leaving the system is a bad idea.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAND-CLEANING AND VACUUMING As a preface to this article, a more detailed description of why gutter cleaning is important can be found here. When selecting cleaning contractors and reviewing quotes its important to know upfront how they plan to access your gutters and perform the work. There are a variety of methods contractors may use, this article will help to inform you how to make the best decision for your home. The most common method of gutter cleaning is by hand. The worker sets up a ladder against your home, ascends with bucket in hand and proceeds to scoop up the contents with a gutter spoon. Sounds simple right? This seemingly simple method is time consuming, dangerous and difficult to perform. Other methods such as pressure washers forcefully clear debris while the fallout collects on your siding, patio furniture or neighbours home. Ladders are an inefficient tool. With an effective cleaning span of the workers arm reach they must be constantly repositioned creating more slip hazard opportunities while navigating the ladder through the yard, ascents & descents on muddy or wet rungs. According to a 2003 report from Statistics Canada, hundreds of ladder injuries occur at work each year attributing to 1500 deaths by falls and are the number one cause of injury in the  home. For more information on the safe use of ladders click here. Our climate brings up to 2500mm of rain annually. This combines with the natural material found in gutters and eroded granules from roofing shingles to create a muddy or soupy mixture in gutters. Hand cleaning is effective so far as what can be picked up with the spoon, the remaining particles are then flushed down the downspout, taking the blockage from one area and moving it to another. Gutter vacuums in most cases are operated from the ground with up to 30′ of extension tubing eliminating the need for ladders in many cases. They are also particularly useful in the case of a tiered roof that is set back from the main roofline, a solution that hand cleaning could not provide without an elaborate rope safety system. With its powerful suction, vacuums remove all debris from gutters including eroded shingle granules ensuring full and complete drainage. At Imagine, our primary concern is safety and doing the job right while providing the best price possible. The majority of our gutter service is performed via vacuum as we feel not only does it give you the best result but also creates the best work environment for our employees. As conditions dictate we do implement the  use of ladders for which all our staff is thoroughly trained on safe ladder use procedures. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/why-gutter-vacuuming-2#sthash.Vbnvug5g.dpuf

Ladders are portable hazards and knowing how to use them safely will give you the confidence to carry out many tasks around your home. Consider that falls from ladders are among the most common injury in any industry attributing to 1500 deaths annually, with over 100,000 people hurt enough to seek medical treatment. According to OSHA, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, 66% of ladder injuries result from a lack of safety training. The first step in ladder safety is recognizing your comfort zone with working at heights and staying within those boundaries. Being more focused on how high you are from the ground than the task at hand is a sign to call someone more experienced. The right ladder for the right job Ladders come in a variety of types and sizes. Match the job you need to perform with the right ladder. Wood, aluminum, and fibreglass are the most common but opt for fibreglass if there is any chance you’ll be working near power lines. Never use a wooden ladder that has been painted as the paint can conceal flaws. Stay off the top two rungs of a stepladder or the top three of an extension ladder. Extension ladders should extend 3 rungs past the point of contact if stepping off the ladder. Setting up Check for hazards and make your work site safe. Stay clear of power lines, be aware of outward swinging doors, pedestrian or motor traffic. Level uneven or soft terrain by removing excess dirt. Adjustable leg levelling extensions are great for uneven terrain and allow a ladder to be set up safely on stairs. The ladder should have 4 points of contact; the two base beams and the two tip beams should be firmly in contact with the ground and the wall. Set the right angle. Consider the physics of weight distribution, too close to the building and you could tip over, too far and the bottom could come out from under you. Follow the 4:1 ratio, for every 4 feet of height the base of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall. For an extension ladder, ensure that all locks are secure and tie up the loose halyard to prevent a tripping hazard. On step ladders both beam spreaders should be fully extended. Consider tying off the top of the ladder to the structure or securing the base either by building an anchor or having a helper secure the ladder, especially in wet conditions. Wrapping the tip or contact point with cloth or foam will avoid scratching  the contact surface. Time to work Always maintain 3 points of contact when climbing or working from a ladder. When ascending or descending with tools, keep your free hand in constant contact with the beam of the ladder. In other words, when climbing with tools never let go of the ladder. If something is too heavy or awkward to carry, use a rope to haul up your equipment. Be aware that mud on your boots will create a slip hazard on the rungs, step slow and squarely on each rung. Be aware of the last rung, don’t misjudge and step off too soon, Over reaching is the fast track to a fall, it really doesn’t take much time to climb down and reposition your ladder. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with basic ladder safety will help to ensure you work safe and avoid injury. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/laddersafety#sthash.KP9tzaKa.dpuf