If you’re looking for a career that is both rewarding and challenging, a skyscraper window washer salary could be just what you’ve been looking for. This is one of the most popular jobs in the world, and while it may seem like it’s just a job, it is a highly skilled position that requires a lot of attention and care.
Safety requirements
As a skyscraper window washer, you will be exposed to a number of risks. You need to be physically fit, use the right equipment, and follow the proper safety procedures to avoid accidents.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set workplace standards that must be followed. There are also regulations for high rise window cleaning in each state.
Despite its relatively low fatality rate, the risk of an accident is real. According to the OSHA, there have been at least 88 window washing accidents over the past 15 years. Many of these accidents are fatal, largely due to the improper use of safety equipment.
The International Window Cleaners Association (IWCA) has developed a certification program. This program is designed to teach window cleaners the most effective practices.
One of the most significant benefits of this certification is that it will ensure the safety of passersby on the building. Another benefit of this program is that it will ensure the safety of the skyscraper window washer.
Methods and tools used
A high rise window washing job requires a lot of training and equipment. Window cleaners on skyscrapers use platforms and harnesses tied to ropes to carry out their work. However, the job has its own risks. In order to minimize the risk of injury, a written safety plan is necessary.
Skyscraper window washers also face electrical hazards and must take precautions to avoid burns. Moreover, they have to stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun. For this reason, window cleaning workers often work outside for long hours without shade.
There are four common methods used to clean skyscraper windows: water fed pole system, pole-mounted squeegee and scrubber, cradles, and cranes. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Water-fed pole systems are a cheaper and eco-friendly way to clean windows. The poles can be hooked to the building or inserted in the roof. They can carry cleaning solutions and can even be filled with purified water. It is also possible to connect them to a specialty pole scrubber.
Average annual salary
Skyscraper window washers are paid well for their responsibilities. In fact, the average salary for a skyscraper window washer is $33,107 annually. With more training, more experience, and more administrative responsibility, the skyscraper window washer salary could rise even higher.
Although the job pays well, it can be a dangerous one. In 2007, two brothers fell 47 stories to their deaths. Their deaths were not due to a lack of skill, but rather, the failure of their equipment to protect them.
Some of the skills required include being able to climb and maneuver in heights, a keen sense of smell, and a willingness to work in extreme weather conditions. A good safety focused service provider can help reduce the risk of injury.
While it’s easy to see why someone would choose to clean a skyscraper’s windows, it’s not a decision everyone should make. Window cleaning is an abrasive, hazardous job that requires high-quality safety measures.
Business opportunities
It is not easy to become a skyscraper window washer. There are many risks and dangers that can affect your life while working on high buildings. You have to stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun, and follow safety rules. Nevertheless, it is worth it. If you have the drive to learn, you can be an amazing high-rise window washer and earn $10 to $25 an hour.
The demand for window cleaners is growing. As of 2010, 400,000 window washers work for 20,000 window-cleaning companies in China. These workers make about 350 to 400 yuan a day. Most window washers are freelancers who work on their own. But some are aspiring to obtain certification.
However, despite the growth, the industry is facing a drop of 5.2% in 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is because of an increase in competition. Today, the profit margin of the industry has dropped from 90 percent to just 20 percent.
