Regular high level cleaning is not only about the look of a building. It may not seem the most crucial item on the list for most building owners or facilities managers, but, it can prevent larger and more costly maintenance and repairs later. Over a period of time the water in the air makes more and more grime stick to the outside of buildings, particularly in the winter. After the winter once the sun starts to shine it will highlight any damage, grime and dirt that has accumulated and this can spoil the look of a building making them look dingy and run-down, especially the more modern designs that partly depend on the visual appeal of clean, clear surfaces, such as PVC panels. That might influence visitors, potential clients and customers visiting the premises and perhaps subtly influence their decision whether to do business with the company or not. In particular fascias and signs that are part of a business's identity should be clean and easy to read to best reflect the company's reputation. Closer examination while carrying out a high level clean can reveal damaged panels, fixings coming loose, soffits in need of repair and blocked gutters that need clearing so that rainwater can drain away without damage. For the occupants of a high-rise building it is also far less depressing to be working in a space illuminated by light from outside and dirty windows can significantly reduce the amount of daylight. High level cleaning is not a job for a novice and is governed by its own specific health and safety regulations to ensure that staff are protected whilst working at high level, and taking care of those working below. It is not likely that many organisations will have specially-trained people on site as part of the regular workforce and it may not be cost effective to do so. The hiring of the appropriate equipment requires both knowledge of what is needed and how it should be used. Many professional commercial cleaning companies make a point of ensuring that their staff have the proper training and certification for carrying out high level cleaning because falls for heights form a high proportion of industrial accidents and can be both personally devastating as well as costly. A qualification to look out for when considering a cleaning company is the Powered Access Licence (PAL), issued by the not for profit organisation International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), which promotes both the design of safe equipment and safe working practises in powered high level equipment. It provides a number of training courses, covering the operation and use of mobile elevator operating equipment, for both managers and workers. At the start of the New Year 2011 in the UK listeners were shocked by the sudden death of Nigel Pargetter, a character in a much loved and long-running radio show, the Archers. He fell from the roof of his historic home, Lower Loxley Hall, where he was removing festive decorations. The episode made major news headlines and it illustrated the dangers of someone inexperienced working at a height without the correct safety equipment. It may have been a fictional accident but it emphasises the point - that using a specialist commercial cleaner is the best option when a commercial building needs a high level clean. Copyright (c) 2011 Alison Withers
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