Regarding Commercial, Retail, Office, Medical and High Rise Window Cleaning Scheduling
There are three main considerations when scheduling window washing frequency; aesthetic appeal / image and prevention of glass surface damage.
Location
Height above ground, street/sidewalk proximity, vehicle and pedestrian traffic all are significant factors affecting effective window cleaning frequency. Landscaping, sprinkler systems and building architecture also all play a role.
Environment
External impacts such as exposure to wind and rain and the intensity thereof, the amount and composition of airborne particulates and organic vapors are all significant factors; in addition building design and facade materials also effect the glass and can cause glass surface damage that may be very expensive to remediate if not properly maintained.[1]
Image
Now more than ever people will form an impression of the establishment they are entering even before even opening the door. Crisp, Bright and Clean windows send a message to Customers, Clients and Employees and answer unspoken questions in their minds. Such appearance considerations are particularly a factor when a presentation of cleanliness and/or financial stability and trustworthiness are desired such as in Restaurants, Health Care Facilities, Insurance/Financial Institutions and Professional Offices.
Budget
If a constrained budget is an issue; Neglect may be far more expensive mid-long term, than appropriate maintenance[2] It may be possible to design a glass maintenance program which addresses all of these concerns and considers your budget. Please call Great Lakes Window Cleaning, Inc. (517-482-4040) for a consultation.
Recommended Window Cleaning Frequencies;
Restaurants / Food Service;
Interior and exterior surfaces, often at least once a week
Retail Establishments;
Exterior surfaces and interior of doors, every two to four weeks
Our People make all the difference; if you take a look at our window cleaners, you will notice we have responsible & experienced adults working with us.
We don’t hire high-school kids or seasonal help to clean your windows; on average our window cleaning technicians have over 10 years window cleaning experience (many 15-20+ years) and are clean cut, drug and smoke free, professional Window Cleaners, accustomed to working in many of the area’s premier homes and offices.
It takes over a year for us to consider a window cleaning technician trained, even more so for a residential window cleaner; so temporary – seasonal help is out of the question.
Great Lakes Window Cleaning Standards:
Application Process & Pre-Employment Screening
It all starts before a candidate even fills out an application; we have a pre-application agreement covering such items as grooming and professional behavior expectations. All candidates go through multiple interviews, and successful applications are fact checked, with every former employer and personal reference contacted. If everything checks out, the candidate’s background and criminal records are checked. When a job is offered the Candidate is sent for their first drug Test.
Great Lakes Window Cleaning Systems;
Well Trained Professionals
Our training starts with a 13 week structured window cleaning and customer service training program; including several workbooks, videos and A LOT of hand’s on practice and mentoring. Our training program for new window cleaners covers everything from how to hold the window cleaning tools and chemical safety to how to use ladders, along with sessions titled “what good customer service is” and ” how to behave in a professional manner while on the job” It often takes well over a year before we consider a Window Cleaning Technician “trained”, and a few years before considered fully proficient in window cleaning.
Experienced
Because we try to provide a livable wage, fair benefits and a good work environment; we’ve been able to retain our experienced window cleaners and have a very low employee turnover. On average our Window Cleaners have over 10 years window cleaning experience, many have been with us for decades! There is no substitute for the Window Cleaning Experience and Training our Window Cleaners bring to your job site or home.
Office Support Staff
Ashleigh Watson – Office ManagerDamon Atlee – HR/APLee Salmon – Residential Service ManagerBarry Pearson Commercial Service Manager
Great Lakes Window Cleaning has a full window cleaning office support staff, so when a client or national window cleaning service provider (NSC) needs to schedule window cleaning service, has an unexpected window cleaning need, requires specialized paperwork, copies of invoices, certificates of insurance or any other type of paperwork or information that makes business easier; someone is available to assist.
Our Employees are an asset to, and contribute to our community
We all have homes, live and work (and pay taxes) in the communities we service. The Company Ownership is right here in Michigan. We are not sending our profits out of state. Our Company leadership, staff and technicians eat, shop and find recreation in many of the same places our clients do and can often be found at various community and charity events.
Great Lakes Window Cleaning, Inc Current Basic Safety Training Outline
Safety Training starts with our 13 week new employee program and is integrated throughout our 12 volume-over 1000 page, employee orientation and training procedure manuals and workbooks. Additional training is required of candidates for High-Rise activities. Our internal High-Rise Training is supplemented with IWCA/IWCCI, SIA and other outside resources.
For all window cleaning employees; the following training manuals contain safety related sections or are devoted entirely to safety issues.
Employee Handbook
General Safety Concepts
Orientation
Eye Safety
Work to Benefit Your Body
Back Safety
Electrical Safety
Route and General Safety
Acid Safety
Using restorative chemicals safely
Ladder Safety
Using Ladders: Do You Make These Safety Checks?
Hazard Communication & MSDS
Devoted to safety concepts
Ladder Safety Book
Devoted to safety concepts
Working In All Types of Weather
Devoted to safety concepts
Residential Specialist
Safety
What if?
Window Razor Blade Guidelines
Training Checklist: Ladder Work
Training Guide II
Hazard Communication & MSDS
Hydrochloric and Hydrofluoric acids
IWCA Safety Training Program Part 1
IWCA Safety Training Program Part 2
Fall Protection and Prevention
Devoted to safety concepts
Gutter Cleaning
Safe Gutter Cleaning Agreement
Alternatives to Roof Work
Annual Safety Review
Review all components listed above
Aerial Lift Training
Devoted to safety concepts
The training below is required in addition to the above for High Rise Window Cleaning operations:
High Rise Training
Devoted to safety concepts & understanding
High Rise Self Rescue & Partner Rescue Workshop
Devoted to safety concepts
IWCA Course Study Program – For Window Cleaner Safety Certification – High Rise Rope Descending System Operations
