METHOD STATEMENT

FACADE CLEANING USING SPIDER

Standard Cleaning Procedure

Cleaning during continuing construction work differs from

ordinary routine cleaning mainly through the careful removal
of debris from the glass surface. This is a delicate procedure
and should be carried out by specifically trained professionals.
Cleaning should start by thoroughly soaking the glass with
clean water and soap solution to loosen dirt or debris. Using
mild, non abrasive commercial window washing solution,
uniformly apply the solution to the glass surfaces by spraying
or with a brush, clean grit free cloth or grit-free sponge. Using
a circular motion and light to medium pressure, wipe the
cleaning solution on the glass. Rinse the glass immediately
with generous amounts of clean water making sure to remove
all the cleaning solution. Use clean lint free cloth or squeegee
to dry the glass surface. Care should be taken to ensure that
no metal parts of the cleaning equipment make contact with
the glass surface and that no abrasive particles are trapped
between the glass and cleaning materials. All water and
cleaning solution residue should be dried from window
frames, seals and gaskets to avoid any potential deterioration
of these materials. If residues are still present on the glass the
steps above should be repeated. Abrasive cleaners, powder
based cleaners,
scouring pads or other harsh materials should be used to
clean the glass or frame surrounds. Excess glazing
compounds and sealants should be carefully removed
from the glass and frame surrounds, taking care not to
scratch the finished surfaces with tools or abrasives.
Avoid scraping the glass with metal scrapers or blades. A
solvent such as white spirit or Professional glass cleaner
may be used to remove any glazing compound, finger
marks or grease taking care not to allow contact with
glazing seals, gaskets, any paint finishes or the perimeter
edge seal of an insulating glass unit. The glass can then
be cleaned following the procedure above.

When paint or other construction materials cannot be

removed by standard cleaning procedures, a new 25mm
razor blade may be used on non-surface treated or non-
coated glass surfaces. It should be used only on small
spots and scraping carried out in one direction only. Note
that this practice can cause a concentration of small
hairline scratches that may be visible under certain
lighting conditions.
 Regular maintenance

It is essential that all installations are inspected and

maintained during the lifetime of the building at regular
intervals as recommended by the sealant and framing
system manufacturers. The regular routine cleaning of
the glass following the Standard cleaning procedure
detailed above will help to preserve the original
appearance and performance characteristics.

Minimum training required to achieve operative

competence

All operatives should have received training in rope

access work and should have appropriate knowledge,
experience and practical skills for the type of work being
undertaken. Training should be carried out by a competent
person, and should include assessment of specific skills
and knowledge. The training programme should be
formalized in both time and performance, and should be
assessed by a competent person. Training schemes
should clearly state the scope of the training provided.
Companies should be aware that training is no substitute
for experience. Newly trained individuals should be
closely supervised and introduced to rope access work
gradually, under carefully controlled circumstances.
Before starting any rope access job, all operatives must
be competent to:

 Properly inspect access equipment before every use;

 Access through the terrace floor and exit through the
4th floor. (any change to this as required by the
building management will be adhered to)

 Provide life line rope (24mm) column to column
(concrete beam) or spider rope (nylon) with type of
rope tie blowline. 

 Synthetic rope size 10.5mm, nylon material &
breaking load capacity 2100 kg.

 Provide packing material in all edge of column and
building for life line rope and synthetic rope. 

 Understand all risks arising from the access method
and work task; use all access techniques required by
a particular worksite. 

For Rope Access work, the minimum level of practical

skills needed will include:
 Change from one rope to another.
Knots, elementary safe rigging, rope
management. Selection of safe anchor points.
Equipment care and pre use checks.

Method of Works
 The works are to be completed using Rope
Access Techniques and will be undertaken in the
following sequence. 
 Provision of supervision while working at ground
floor.
 slings or double ropes - the weaker, gated side of
the connector will take more

 Site Specific induction completed by all technicians
 involved in the planned scope of works. 
 Confirm all relevant permits and preliminary site
paperwork is in place. A hard copy of this document 
 present and will be signed on to by all technicians
prior to works starting.

 Avoid cleaning the glass in direct sunlight,

particular tinted or coated glasses. 

 Don’t allow splashed materials to dry on the
glass surface. 

 Start cleaning at the top of the building and
work downwards.

 Provide 2.5-liter bucket for cleaning process.
(Bucket hooked in safety harness)

 Identify the work space. Erect barriers where
 required to indicate work and prohibition. 
 Confirm appropriate access and egress
arrangements are in place. 

 Access to the work area will be via the main access stair 

 Weather conditions will be assessed by measuring
of wind speeds. (Allowed wind speed 15mph)

 The ropes will be heavily protected at each abrasion
point and will be inspected by the onsite Supervisors 

 Check all personnel on personal and group equipment. 

 Site Specific induction completed by all technicians
involved in the planned scope of works

 
 Confirm all relevant permits and preliminary
site paperwork is in place. 
 
 Visual inspection of work site in form of a ‘walk
round’ by all team members.

 Emergency team allocationDeployed one

trained& competent person at terrace floor.

 Locating of emergency exits and relevant
emergency equipment. 
 Confirm scope of works with clients on
 site representative. 
 Hold and record a site specific tool box talk. 


 Erect barriers where required to indicate work
 and prohibition. 
 Confirm (in accordance with any permit
 requirement) the commencement of work. 
 Confirm appropriate access and egress
 arrangements are in place. 
 Access to the work area will be via the main access
 stair/lift routes found throughout the building. 
 All movement between the fall arrest line and the
roof edge will be carried out while attached to the fall
 arrest system. 
 Remove all debris and waste material from work site
and dispose in accordance with site regulations
 Provide garbage for glass protection tape waste
carrying. (Tied near cleaning work)
 Ensure all the personal protective materials are
 used by the technician before work starts. 
 Ensure the quality of wire rope used by the
 cleaning agents. 
 Ensure they all are fit for works. If any health
condition is there please don’t allow him to work. 
Inspection, care, maintenance, longevity

Where cleaning companies employ subcontracted rope

access technicians, they must confirm that the
subcontractor carries out checks to ensure that all
equipment used is fit for purpose and in good condition and
examined thoroughly by a competent person in accordance
with a specified schedule at intervals no greater than six
months, records shall be available all the time onsite.

Personal Protective Equipment’s

Some work tasks or work environments may require the

use of other protective equipment, such as warm clothing,
waterproofs, hearing or eye protection, gloves etc.

Control of working methods

Risk control measures that apply to all rope access work

Operatives will always be attached to at least

two independently anchored safety systems.

Connection to the rope access system should be in

an area where there is no risk of a fall from a height,
unless there is protection by other means.
 Exclusion zones should be established as
appropriate. This may require zones at locations
other than top and bottom of the rope access work.

An efficient communication system should be

established, e.g. mobile phone, radio, whistle etc.

All practicable measures should be taken to avoid

injury causing impact with the structure or obstructions.

Operatives should be properly dressed and equipped,

appropriate to the work situation and conditions.

Rescue
The provision of adequate emergency measures is of
prime importance when carrying out rope access work.
There should be a specific rescue plan for each worksite,
with on site practice if appropriate. In any case, work
teams should practice rescue techniques from time to time
Operatives should always be in a position to recover
themselves, or to be recovered quickly and efficiently by
the immediate work team or by a dedicated onsite rescue
team. Rescue equipment should be appropriate to the
nature of the workplace, e.g. length of ropes, availability of
extra anchor slings, hauling equipment etc.
RESCUE
 First aid
Every worksite should have access to reasonable first
aid provision and at least two member of a work team
should have received recognized first aid training.