BCC backs new research project to reduce injury risk caused by long reach equipment

A revolutionary research initiative which could greatly improve the safety and wellbeing of cleaning operatives who use long reach washing equipment has been given a boost by a British Cleaning Council grant.

The BCC has awarded BCC member the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC) a £2,000 grant which will allow them to fully participate in a health and safety project being conducted by an industry-wide partnership.

Other partners in the project include HSE, Principle Cleaning, Specialist Window Cleaning Ltd and NJC. Together they are working with ergonomic specialists dorsaVi whose unique ViSafe wearable body sensors and software can help identify, prioritise and control injury risk by measuring movement profiles and muscle activity in real work environments.

Data generated by dorsaVi’s technology will allow HSE and participating partners to better understand the impact on the users back, shoulders and neck when using long pole reach and wash equipment. As a result of this study, which is being conducted over the spring and early summer, the partnership will identify, validate and establish best practice techniques to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

In addition, they will formulate evidence-based guidance for optimal equipment training, including content and data to integrate into in-house training courses. They also hope to embed a series of best practice principles across the whole of the cleaning sector.

Stan Atkins, Chair of the BCC, said: “The BCC is keen to support any Council member who brings forward a viable proposition which add real value to the cleaning industry. This project is a great example of this as it has the potential to reduce the risk of serious and long-term injury which can occur from the repetitive or  incorrect use of long reach equipment in the workplace.”

Andrew Lee, Chair of the Federation of Window Cleaners, said: “The introduction of reach and wash equipment has been very effective at reducing the need to work at height.

“However, this equipment brings its own challenges in risk for injury to the user from repeated movements of the lower back, shoulders and neck. We are greatly looking forward to working with the HSE, dorsaVi and all the other partners to help tackle some of these issues through cutting edge ergonomic research, and we would like to thank the BCC for supporting our participation in this exciting and important project.”