TM 1.800.433.2113

MarXoff Gutter Cleaning ApplicatorThis tool makes gutter cleaning a quick add on service. Quickly clean stained gutters while standing safely on the ground. Simply attach a MarXoff Gutter Cleaning Applicator to a telescoping brush handle, dip it into a bucket of Gutter Zap, apply and rinse. That’s it! You’re done! The cleaning pad is made of soft, synthetic lambs wool and is safe to the gutter finish.

24 Foot 3 Stage Fiberglass Telescoping Wand

Work safely from the ground. Clean areas from 9 feet up to 24 feet high without the use of a ladder. This telescoping fiberglass wand is ideal for cleaning second story walls, gutters, & other hard to reach areas.• Maximum Pressure: 4000 PSI• Maximum Flow: 8.0 GPM• Maximum Temperature: 200 F• Inlet: 3/8 QC Plug• Outlet: 1/4” Brass socket (accepts

color coded nozzles)• Internal Hose: 1/4”• Weighs approximately 19 lbs.

Maxshield Coveralls with HoodMaxShield disposable protec-tive coveralls protect against non hazardous liquids, dry particulates, paint, and pesticides rated caution. The double layer fabric provides superior liquid and dry particulate barrier protection while increasing comfort, breathability and strength.

General Pump EZ4040G• Standard SAE J609 gasoline mounting

flange for up to 13 hp engines• Maximum Volume: 4.0 GPM• Maximum Discharge Pressure: 4000 PSI• Maximum Pump Speed: 3400 RPM• Maximum Inlet Pressure: 125 PSI• Maximum Fluid Temperature: 165 F• Inlet Port Thread: 1/2-14 BSPP-F• Discharge Port Thread: 3/8-19 BSPP-F• Shaft Diameter: 1.0 in. / 25.4 mm• Weight: 20 lbs.• Dimensions: 8.8”

x 9.7” x 6.5”

General Pump TSF2021• Horsepower: 21 EBHP• Maximum Volume: 8.5 GPM• Maximum Discharge Pressure: 3600 PSI• Maximum Pump Speed: 1450 RPM• Maximum Inlet Pressure: 125 PSI• Maximum Inlet Vacuum: 9 ft. water (7.9

in. Hg)• Maximum Fluid Temperature: 165 F• Weight: 40.7 lbs.• Dimensions: 14.94” x 9.78” x 6.99”

General Pump TSS1511• Maximum Volume: 4.0 GPM • Maximum Discharge Pressure: 3500 PSI • Maximum Pump Speed: 1450 RPM• Maximum Inlet Pressure: 125 PSI• Maximum Inlet Vacuum: 9 ft. water (7.9

in. Hg)• Crankcase Oil Capacity: 40.6 oz.• Maximum Fluid Temperature: 165 F• Shaft Diameter: .945 in. / 24 mm• Weight: 32

lbs.• Dimensions:

12.2” x 9.2” x 6.9”

Amber Safety GlassesProtect your eyes from chemical splashes, and debris with these comfort-able safety glasses. Amber goggles are perfect for low light situations, because they make your environment appear brighter. They block blue light, thereby enhancing con-trast and depth perception.

Gauntlet PVC Safety GlovesStay safer with a soft touch! Gauntlet Gloves protect forearms and hands from abrasions and liquids when working with caustic, acidic and other harsh chemicals.

Mr. Longarm Pro-Lok 6’ to 18’ Extension Handle

10” BI-Level BrushThe unique angled design of this soft-bristle non-marking wash brush maximizes contact with the surface to extend your reach. Clean more area in less time from the safety of the ground.

Delux D7150 Diaphragm PumpMax Flow: 7 GPMMax: 100 PSILiquid Temperature: 140°F (60°C) Max.Delivery Type: DemandPriming Capabilities: 14’ (4 m)Inlet/Outlet Ports: 1/2” NPT Weight: All models: 10 lbs (4.5 kg)

Delux D5360 Diaphragm PumpOpen Flow: 5.3 GPMPressure: 100 PSI 4.1 BarLiquid Temperature: 140°F (60°C) Max.Delivery Type: DemandPriming Capabilities: 14’ (4 m)Inlet/Outlet Ports: 1/2” NPT Weight: All models: 8 lbs (3.62 kg)

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4 Editor’s Note: “It Won’t Happen to Me”

5 Empire Highrise USA: Have Squeegees, Will Travel

14 Chemical Safety: Do I Need a Spill Kit?, by Linda Chambers, Soap Warehouse 17 PWNA Vendor Profile: Sunbelt Rentals

19 Hydro Tek Skid Winner, Jim Pasternak, Northeast Powerwashing

11 Making Your List & Checking It Twice, by Darla Renk, Joseph D. Walters Insurance

25 We Were Safety before Safety Was Cool, by Todd Turner, ATP Results

21 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Know the Symptoms

29 No Blooper Safety, by Rick Meehan, Marko Janitorial

In This Issue:www.eCleanMag.com January 2015 (Issue 30)

5

14

Cover Photo courtesy of Empire Highrise USA, www.EmpireHighrise.com

eClean Magazine is published monthlyPublisher/Editor: Allison Hester, allison@ecleanmag.com eClean Magazine 12300 Nebraska Ave. N Little Rock, AR 72118

22 Why You Need a Written Cell Phone Policy

31 In a World of Automation, Why Not Window Cleaning? by Kari Francois, Sky Pro, LLC

32 2015 Calendar of Events (January - April)

TM 1.800.433.2113

Power Washers | Surface Cleaners | Chemicals | Cleaning Supplies | Parts | Pumps | Training

Dual Lance WandChange between high or low pressure by twisting the side handle. The perfect solu-tion for spraying cleaning agents with low pressure through an injector valve and then cleaning with high pressure.

4,000 PSI300° F1/4” MPT

Trigger Gun YG-5000This gun has an easy pull trigger to reduce operator fatigue and a larger hand grip to more readily accommodate work gloves. It also features an extra strong housing design with extra venting for improved performance at high tem-peratures.

Max Fluid Temp: 200°Max Discharge: 5000 PSIFlow Rate: 10 GPMInlet: 3/8” FNPTOutlet: 1/4” FNPT

10” BI-Level BrushThis durable brush can reach higher and farther than traditional brushes. The unique angled de-sign of this soft-bristle non-marking wash brush maximizes contact with the surface to extend your reach.

Stack BrushThe unique curve and stiff bristles of this brush are designed to tackle the tough stains from exhaust stacks and brush them away.

PINK THUNDER™ TWP (TRUCK WASH POWDER) is a free rinsing detergent with a powerful cleaning action. It is safe on all surfaces, painted or otherwise. Better results will be obtained with hot or warm water, however, it works well in cold water. It removes road film, grease, dirt, bugs and will leave the surface shining without polishing.

R-202 Color Changing Concentrated Concrete CleanerThis fluorescent orange detergent changes to a yellow green as powder is diluted with water. This way you know when the concentration is ready for the job at hand. It will pen-etrate deep into unpainted concrete surfaces to lift out heavy oil, grease, soil, and grime. One 50 pound box can make up to 400 gallons of powerful cleaner.

MarXoff Gutter Cleaning ApplicatorThis tool makes gutter cleaning a quick add on service. Quickly clean stained gutters while standing safely on the ground. Simply attach a MarXoff Gutter Cleaning Applicator to a telescoping brush handle, dip it into a bucket of Gutter Zap, apply and rinse. That’s it! You’re done! The cleaning pad is made of soft, synthetic lambs wool and is safe to the gutter finish.

Gutter Cleaning AttachmentThe unique angle of the Gutter Cleaner attach-ment makes cleaning leaves and dirt out of gut-ters a breeze. Just snap it on to the end of your pressure wash wand, snap a nozzle in the other end, and you are ready to clean. It’s a low-cost solution with high-productivity results!

Approximately 14” in length with a 135 degree bend.1/4” Quick connectors on each endChrome PlatedMax Pressure: 3,000 PSIMax Flow: 8 GPM

Super Concentrated Gutter ZapZap those gutters clean with Super Concentrate Gutter Zap. It cleans black streaks off gutters caused by electrostatic bonding. Simply wet down the gutter, spray on Gutter Zap, and rinse off with garden hose pressure. It’s that easy! Light brush-ing is required on heavily soiled areas. One quart makes 1 gallon of concentrate which yields 3-5 gallons of ready-to-use-mix.

Mr. Longarm Pro-Lok 6’ to 18’ Extension Handle

Rotomax Rotating NozzleDesigned to improve the clean-ing efficiency of any pressure washer by producing a rotat-ing action that considerably expands the contact area of the cleaning stream while provid-ing the impact of a zero degree nozzle. The unique internal design pro-vides “aim and shoot” operation even while cleaning overhead and permits easy replacement of all wear parts.

Three models are availableRotomax 1, 2.1-2.6GPM, 1,300-2,000PSIRotomax 2, 2.9-4.0GPM, 1,450-3,500PSIRotomax 3, 4.2-5.5GPM, 1,450- 3,500PSI

9 How to Prevent Your Ladder from Slipping

“It Won’t Happen to Me”Back in my corporate communications days, I had to go to

our State Capitol to pick up some paperwork. Our public affairs director, who spent much of her time lobbying state politicians, warned me before I headed over: “Be careful on the stairs. They can be tricky.

(Yeah, yeah. Whatever.) I safely walked up the glorious marble staircase, retrieved the

papers I needed without incident. Downed the first batch of stairs with ease. But then I got comfortable, and I got careless. I glanced at the papers rather than the stairs, reached the very last step and BAM! Flung my ankle sideways, and fell flat on the floor. The result was a midfoot break, and I spent the next TEN MONTHS in a walking cast. Not to mention years of pain that followed.

And that was from a silly WALKING accident. Fortunately, I had a cushy desk job that allowed me to work

from home the first few weeks, and allowed me to keep my feet propped up for months to come. But what if it had happened to you?

As contract cleaners, you are faced with dangers every day. In the past two months alone, a contract cleaner hit a power line with his waterfed pole and suffered severe burns. Another seasoned window cleaner fell several stories and landed on a vehicle passing below. In both cases, the men miraculously survived. In both situations, the recovery is going to be a long, painful, and expensive journey.

In early December, a tragedy occurred when a well-known pressure washing contractor died after he fell from a ladder. He got careless. Placed the ladder on a slippery first-story roof and it slid out from under him. The initial fall knocked him out, he rolled down the roof, then landed on the concrete drive below.

This particular incident hit home for a lot of people. This was a contractor who frequented the industry bulletin boards, who actively supported one of the industry associations, and whom many of you had communicated with online, on the phone, or in person. As several contractors have said online, “We all do it. We all cut corners from time to time.”

Whether it’s walking, driving, climbing a ladder, working with chemicals, or any of the other countless potentially dangerous things we do every day, we most likely all have thought, “It won’t happen to me.”

And I’d bet money that those who have been severely injured or even killed doing these things thought it wouldn’t happen to them either.

Stay safe!

Allison HesterEditor

Editor’s Note

“Editor’s Note” 4

While many 18-year-olds make money sacking groceries or bussing tables, Jorge Aguilar was hanging from the sides of Kansas City skyscrapers for a local window cleaning company.

“I’m ambidextrous (i.e., can use both right and left hands equally), and once my employer found out, he quickly asked if I would be interested in doing highrise,” Jorge explained.

Jorge admits his first time over the edge was very scary and “not as cool” as he had hoped it would be. “I froze and came right back up the edge,” he said. “I think it takes all of us a little getting used to but you either love it or you hate

it.” And once he got past that initial fear, he has “always loved it. It truly is my passion.”

Building His EmpiresIn 2006, three years after entering the

industry, Jorge started his own company, Empire Window Cleaning, LLC. At first, Empire primarily cleaned residential, but after a couple of years he began going back to commercial and highrise. Today, Empire Window Cleaning offers residential, commercial, and highrise window cleaning in Kansas City with other small services as gutter, mirror and chandelier cleaning.

In 2008, Jorge purchased a

5 eClean Magazine

Featured

By Allison Hester

Empire Highrise USA

I am at the most peace on the side of a building. It truly is my passion. – Jorge Aguilar

Have Squeegees, Will Travel

“ “

competitor’s cleaning company. He renamed it Empire Construction Cleaning, which provides window cleaning and the final clean of new homes to make them move-in ready.

Then in 2012, Jorge contacted his insurance agency to ask what it would take for his team to be able to work in Omaha, Nebraska. To his surprise, he learned his insurance already allowed him to clean buildings in any of the lower 48 states. “This came as a shock, but at the same time, as a very exciting opportunity.”

After thinking and planning for about six months, Jorge decided to start Empire Highrise USA. The team provides highrise window cleaning, pressure washing and caulking, and can travel from Kansas City to anywhere across the nation. Empire Highrise USA currently holds contracts in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

“Our biggest goal is to offer our services to fellow window cleaners and pressure washers nationwide who do not do highrise,” Jorge explained. “They no longer have to turn down calls! Simply give us a call with information regarding the building and we can start looking at providing a bid.”

While Jorge and his team are actively looking for business in Kansas City and nationwide, they are especially interested in working with professionals, property managers and building owners in the southern states and on the East coast.

Safety Is Always FirstJorge learned to clean highrise

buildings the old-school way – starting with plenty of practice on rooftops before he was ever allowed to go over the edge. And that’s how he trains his staff.

“It is very important to keep safety in mind as our number one priority.

“Empire” 6

Photos provided by Empire Highrise USA, www.EmpireHighrise.com

Below: Lee Burbridge of the U.K.’s Window Cleaning Magazine featured Empire Highrise in one of his films. Click to watch.

7 eClean Magazine

Taking shortcuts in this industry is something that is life threatening at all times once off the ground, whether it be on a ladder or on a rope.”

When hiring technicians, Empire’s primary goal is “to find those who are wiling to travel, maintain good physical states, good attitudes and a respect for safety,” he explained. “This type of work requires you to be flexible as well as in good shape. We believe you can teach anyone who is willing to learn. Knowledge is definitely power.”

Empire currently has six full-time technicians, but during the busy season can have as many as 15. Most of his employees are guys that he has personally worked with in the past. Some are even the guys who originally trained Jorge.

Empire Highrise USA requires technicians spend six months on rooftops before they can go over the edge. They

learn how to rig, tie knots, and get exposed to weather changes, including wind and rain and every other situation that highrise window cleaners are exposed to. The person(s) working on the rooftop help all of the guys over the edge. “That person is a crucial part of the flow of things in the way we work,” he added.

All Empire Highrise USA technicians are also required to become certified with the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA). He also plans to start implementing SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians) training as well.

In addition to the IWCA, Jorge is also a member of the Window Cleaning Resource Association (WCRA), Pressure Washing Resource Association (PWRA), and the Power Washers of North America (PWNA). He participates in several industry events throughout the year.

“We benefit from each of these in many ways. At all conventions and seminars we are able to learn new things to incorporate to our organization from both the classes as well as one on one with other professionals,” he explained. “They are also a lot of fun. It is always nice seeing and spending time with old friends while creating new ones.”

12 Years LaterIt’s been 12 years since Jorge first

started working in the window cleaning industry. Today, he has had to trade some of his chair time for onsite meetings, watching his guys from his truck, or supervising on the roof. However, nothing makes him happier than when he gets to actually scale down the side of a building, squeegee in tow. “I think it’s important to be next to your guys as much as possible for their morale as well as unity.”

Even more than morale, Jorge simply loves what he does. “I am most at peace on the side of a building. I find a lot of enjoyment in having people wave and say ‘thank you.’”

Our biggest goal is to offer our services to fellow window cleaners and pressure washers nationwide who do not do highrise. They no longer have to turn down calls! – Jorge Aguilar

“

“

In early December, a pressure cleaning contractor fell from a ladder and was killed. Reports are that he had placed his ladder on a slippery first-story roof to climb up to the second story. The ladder slipped, he fell off and was knocked unconscious, rolled down the first-story roof, and landed on the hard concrete below.

While we all can look at that scenario and see his mistakes, the fact is that carelessness happens on ladders in this industry all the time. Most of the time, contractors get lucky. But it only takes one unlucky time to end in tragedy.

And research shows that most extension ladder accidents occur due to ladders slipping a the base.

Study of Work-Related Ladder FallsA few years ago, Liberty Mutual Research

Institute scientists teamed up with researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Center for Construction Research and Training, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study work-related injuries from a broad spectrum of industries. Here are the main findings:

• The occupational category with the second highest percentage of ladder falls included installation, maintenance and repair – which would include cleaning industries – making up

20.7% of all job-related ladder injuries. • 40% of all accidents occurred with extension

(straight) ladders• Most falls from portable ladders occurred at

an average of 7.5 feet, while 35% of falls originated from less than five feet.

• 51% of the all reported ladder fall injuries occurred while the worker was standing or sitting and working from the ladder (particularly hanging an item or performing repairs/other maintenance tasks), while 39% occurred while climbing up or down.

• Almost 54% of those who fell from a straight ladder reported that the ladder moved at the time of the fall, of which 41% said it moved at the base.

A Matter of DegreesDid you catch that? Ladders SLIPPING is

the number one cause of work-related extension injuries.

To prevent your ladder from slipping, it’s very important to set your ladder up correctly at the base. According to OSHA, you are supposed to place it at a 75-degree angle. An easier way to determine this is a 4:1 ratio – i.e., the base of the ladder should be set away from the bottom of the structure at a distance that’s one-fourth of the height where the ladder touches the top point. So, for example, if you have a ladder that will be supported at a point 20-feet off the ground, the base should be set five feet out from the wall.

How to Prevent Your Ladder from Slipping

Safety

9 eClean Magazine

By Allison Hester

If your ladder is set up at an angle steeper than 75 degrees, you are more likely to tip backwards. If the ladder is set up at an angle less than 75 degrees, the ladder is more likely to slide out from the bottom. In fact, a recent Research Institute study found that reducing the angle by as little as 10 degrees (from 75 to 65 degrees) nearly doubled the friction required to keep the ladder stable.

One of the more accurate ways to figure out the angle of the ladder is to measure the space between the rungs, then count the number of rungs up to where the ladder touches the top point. Divide by four and measure how far out to the set the base.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has also created a free Ladder Safety app that uses visual and audio signals to help workers using extension ladders check the angle the ladder is positioned at.

Don’t skimp on this step. Again, being off even by 10 degrees can add a lot to your risk.

Secure the Bottom & the TopAmong OSHA’s ladder safety rules, several

apply to methods for keeping ladders from slipping. These include:

• Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.

• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement.

• Do not use slip resistant feet as a substitute for exercising care when placing or holding a ladder upon slippery surfaces.

• Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels or other unstable bases to obtain additional

In addition to making sure your surface is level and stable, there are extra precautions you can take. For instance:

• If you are on a wooden deck, you can screw down a wooden 2x4 right behind the ladder feet to keep the ladder from sliding backwards.

• Before setting up on a hard surface, clean the bottom of the ladder feet and wash away dirt or sand that can cause the ladder to slip.

• If you feel the ladder might slip, tie ropes to both ladder legs under the lowest rung, then tie the other end of the ropes to a solidly-anchored object at or near the base of the wall.

• Do not stack boards, bricks, and so on under

one of the feet to level the ladder.• Use adjustable leg leveling extensions that

bolt onto the bottom of your ladder. Stabilizing the bottom of the ladder also helps

prevent it from tipping sideways. However, there are additional steps to take on the top.

First, OSHA requires that extension or straight ladder must extend at least three feet above the point of support.

Beyond that, ideally you will add a stabilizer to the top of your ladder as well, especially if you’re going to be making several trips up and down in the same spot. One suggestion is to apply a pair of rubber or soft plastic covers that slip over the top of the ladder’s rails. These provide a better grip on the siding to help keep it from sliding sideways. (These also help protect the ladder from damaging the siding.)

Secondly, ladder stabilizers are another really smart option, especially for the cleaning industry. These not only add stability, they can span across many window openings, and they keep the ladder from touching the building.

If you’re making several trips up and down the ladder, or if you’ll be climbing onto the roof, it’s smart to tie off the top of the ladder to a solid anchor to keep it from sliding sideways.

In an industry where time is money, it’s easy to cut corners when it comes to safety. Stabilizing your ladder will take a little longer, but the few minutes you lose by setting up your ladder correctly may save you days, weeks, or months recovering from a ladder fall. And it just may save your life.

“Ladder” 10

Making Your List and Checking It Twice During the downtime that the winter season

provides, you have the perfect opportunity to review all aspects of your business, paying attention to some of the details that you don’t have time for during the spring and summer. A comprehensive review of your insurance policies and coverages should definitely be on your “to do list.”

Last month we looked at the importance of maintaining continuous Completed Operations Liability coverage. What else is in your General Liability policy that you need whether you are working or not?

Some of the standard inclusions in the Commercial General Liability Coverage Form don’t apply to everyone, but you should understand them so you know which ones apply to you.

Do you rent warehouse or storage space for your equipment? If you do, you need coverage called “Damage to Premises Rented to You,” which is usually part of the standard GL policy. It is also known as fire legal liability coverage and covers fire damage to the landlord’s property due to the negligence of the tenant (you). If you are renting

the space year-round, you need coverage year-round. And, most likely you have agreed in your lease to provide the landlord proof of insurance. If so, cancelling your insurance for the off-season will be in violation of your lease.

Many of you spend the off-season working on your brilliant marketing plan to make next year even better than this one. Where is the liability exposure in that? In our litigious society, where everyone sues everyone at the slightest infringement, you should be very careful what materials and methods you use to market your business. And you should have Personal & Advertising Injury Liability coverage. Another coverage typically included in a Commercial General Liability policy, it provides protection from financial loss due to claims of slander, libel, disparagement, violations of another’s right of privacy or the unauthorized use or infringement of another’s intellectual property, committed by or on behalf of the owner(s) of a business.

Technology has made it so easy to copy and paste images, share information and ideas, or post on electronic bulletin boards or chat rooms. Personal & Advertising Injury Liability coverage

Business

By Darla Renk, Joseph D. Walters Insurance

11 eClean Magazine

you need. And depending on what you do and how you do it, you may have some unique needs that require special protection. It is important to review your insurance protection with a coverage expert who can advise you of any areas where you have potential financial risks. Putting the right coverage in place will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re properly protected.

As we approach the new year, make a resolution to have a business insurance specialist conduct a risk analysis of your company and help you find the right plan for you.

Darla Renk is a Certified Insurance Service Representative and Account Manager for Joseph D Walters Insurance, America’s #1 insurer of power washing contractors. To learn more and to download your free guide to power washing insurance, visit www.JosephDWalters.com

will pay damages for which you are deemed legally liable if your marketing efforts unintentionally cause loss or injury to a third party. Coverage must be in place when the ad, post or statement is released or published.

If your General Liability coverage is part of a Commercial Package policy, you may also have coverage for your equipment, in the form of Inland Marine coverage. This section of the policy usually covers your equipment or specialized belongings. It provides protection from financial loss due to many covered perils which may include fire, lightning, hail, windstorms, theft, vandalism, riot, explosion and vehicular damage. All of those things are actually more likely to happen to your equipment when it is not in use, so could very well happen while your rig is in storage for the winter.

Maybe not all of these coverages apply to your operations. It’s important to know which ones

“Insurance” 12

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