How to Meet Victoria’s Window Cleaning Safety Regulations (Contractors)

Window cleaning at height is one of the higher‑risk trades for injury and fatality. For contractors operating in Victoria, meeting Victoria window cleaning safety regulations is not only a legal duty but essential to protect workers, clients and the business. This guide summarises current obligations, practical steps and best practice controls for commercial and residential window cleaning work in Victoria (including references to WorkSafe Victoria and national guidance where relevant).

Why compliance matters

Under Victorian occupational health and safety law, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), employers and contractors must eliminate risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable; where elimination is not reasonably practicable, risks must be minimised using the hierarchy of controls. Failure to comply can lead to significant penalties, enforceable undertakings, site shutdowns and reputational damage. Beyond enforcement, compliance reduces worker injury, lost time, insurance claims and client disruption.

Primary legislation and guidance you must know

Key documents and sources that inform what is required on-site include:

• WorkSafe Victoria — Prevention of Falls in General Construction (Compliance Code): the primary Victorian compliance code for falls from height and high‑risk construction work.
• WorkSafe Victoria webpages and guidance on fall prevention, cleaning and preventing slips, trips and falls.
• Safe Work Australia guidance on working at heights and best practice for high‑risk tasks.
• Australian Standards and manufacturer instructions for anchors, harnesses, EWPs and rope systems.

Who has the duty?

Responsibilities are shared. Contractors, subcontractors, site PCBUs and principal contractors must consult, coordinate and implement controls. If your business engages subcontractors for window cleaning, you retain a duty to ensure the work is carried out safely.

Core compliance areas for window cleaning contractors

Below are the essential areas contractors must address to meet window cleaning contractor obligations in Victoria.

1. Risk assessment and Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

For work that meets the definition of high‑risk construction work (HRCW) or where workers can fall from a height, a documented Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is typically required. A SWMS must:

1. Describe the task and identify hazards (fall, entanglement, struck-by, weather-related risks).
2. Detail controls using the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE).
3. Specify rescue arrangements and the sequence to be followed in an emergency.
4. Identify who is responsible for implementation, monitoring and review.

Prepare, review and keep the SWMS available on site. Update it if conditions or controls change.

2. Hierarchy of fall controls — apply in this order

WorkSafe and the compliance code require you to apply the hierarchy of controls. Typical applications in window cleaning:

1. Elimination: clean from ground level where possible (telescopic poles, internal access, or temporary removal of glazing if appropriate).
2. Substitution / engineering: use fixed platforms, guardrails, scaffolds or building-integrated access systems instead of exposing workers to an unprotected edge.
3. Administrative controls: scheduling, exclusion zones, supervision and documented safe work procedures when higher controls are not practicable.
4. Personal protective equipment (PPE): full‑body harnesses and compatible lanyards used only as part of a properly designed fall‑arrest or work‑positioning system.

3. Equipment standards, inspection and maintenance

All access and fall‑protection equipment must meet relevant Australian Standards and manufacturer specifications. Common equipment includes:

• Anchorage points — certified anchorages (fixed or temporary) installed and certified by a competent person.
• Harnesses, lanyards and connectors — inspected pre‑use, tagged, and removed from service when damaged or expired.
• Elevating Work Platforms (EWPs) — must be operated by trained, licensed operators and inspected and maintained per manufacturer schedules.
• Rope access / suspended systems — installed and used by trained, competent personnel; equipment inspection logs maintained.

Maintain written inspection and maintenance records for anchors, harnesses, ropes, EWP service logs and any other critical safety equipment.

4. Training, licences and competency

Training must match the controls in use. Key training and licensing requirements include:

• Working at Heights training — workers must be competent in the specific systems they use (harness use, rope access basics, EWPs etc.).
• High Risk Work (HRW) licences — required for certain plant and equipment operators (for example, EWP operators require the appropriate HRW class as specified nationally and by Victoria).
• Rope access / specialised systems — formal certifiable training for rope access (IRATA or equivalent training recognised in Australia) or industry‑recognised competency assessment.
• Rescue procedure training — all workers involved in suspended work must be trained in the rescue plan and the practical use of rescue equipment.

5. Rescue planning and recovery

A timely and effective rescue plan is mandatory where workers are exposed to suspension or fall‑arrest scenarios. The rescue plan should:

1. Be site‑specific and integrated with the SWMS.
2. Identify rescue roles, equipment requirements and communication methods.
3. Be practised periodically (drills) and records kept of drills and training.
4. Ensure rescue equipment (rescue rope, winches, lowering devices) is inspected and ready for use.

6. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE is the last line of defence and must be compatible with the fall‑protection system in use. Typical PPE includes:

• Full‑body harness (appropriate fit and rated to standards).
• Shock‑absorbing lanyard or SRL (self‑retracting lifeline) where required.
• Helmet with chinstrap and impact protection.
• Non‑slip footwear, high‑visibility clothing and weather‑appropriate protective clothing.

7. Site supervision, communication and weather monitoring

Supervision and effective communication are essential. Monitor weather (wind speed, rain) and stop external window cleaning when conditions compromise safety. Establish exclusion zones below work areas and use signage to protect the public.

8. Documentation and record‑keeping

Keep comprehensive records to demonstrate compliance. At a minimum retain:

1. Risk assessments and SWMS for each job type and site.
2. Training records and competency assessments, including HRW licences.
3. Equipment inspection and maintenance logs (anchors, harnesses, rope systems, EWP service records).
4. Rescue plans and drill records.
5. Incident and near‑miss reports and any follow‑up actions.

9. Penalties, enforcement and WorkSafe inspections

WorkSafe Victoria enforces the OHS Act and regulations and can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, fines and prosecute for breaches. Penalties vary depending on the seriousness of the breach and whether it involves a fatality or severe injury. Non‑compliance may also affect public liability and workers’ compensation claims.

Practical compliance checklist for window cleaning contractors

Use the following practical checklist to ensure you meet Victoria window cleaning safety regulations on each job:

1. Conduct a site‑specific risk assessment before starting work.
2. Prepare and provide a SWMS for HRCW or where a fall from height is possible.
3. Apply the hierarchy of controls — eliminate or minimise working at height where possible.
4. Ensure all anchors and fall‑protection equipment meet Australian Standards and are certified.
5. Verify operators hold required HRW licences (EWP) and training certificates (working at heights, rope access where used).
6. Develop and rehearse a site rescue plan before work starts.
7. Inspect equipment pre‑use and maintain written inspection logs.
8. Keep all records (SWMS, training, inspections, incidents) for the statutory period or business policy timeframe.
9. Stop work in unsafe weather or when controls are compromised.
10. Communicate with clients and site PCBUs to coordinate site access and exclusion zones.

Examples of control methods commonly used by contractors

Control choice depends on building type, access and work complexity. Common, compliant solutions include:

• Telescopic pole window cleaning for low‑level and first‑floor windows (elimination of height exposure).
• EWPs (operated by a licensed operator) for medium‑height tasks where scaffold or permanent access is not available.
• Mobile scaffold towers for prolonged access with guardrails and edge protection.
• Rope access or bosun’s chairs for façade cleaning where designed anchor systems and rope‑access procedures and rescue plans are in place.
• Permanent building maintenance units (BMUs) or suspended platforms where building design includes certified anchors and access systems.

Training and competency — detail you must collect

Record the following for each worker:

1. Proof of Working at Heights training relevant to the systems they use.
2. Evidence of HRW licences for plant operation (e.g. EWP ticket).
3. Rope access certification or workplace competency records where rope or suspended access is used.
4. Records of rescue training and participation in rescue drills.

Keeping these records centralised and readily accessible during client site inspections and WorkSafe visits is best practice.

When to use rope access vs. EWP vs. scaffold

Choose the safest practicable method. Consider the following:

1. Use EWP when ground access is possible and the work area is reachable within EWP reach — ensures a stable platform and eliminates rope suspension risks, provided an appropriately licensed operator is used.
2. Choose scaffold or temporary platforms for prolonged jobs as these provide collective protection (guardrails) and are often preferable to personal fall arrest systems.
3. Use rope access only where other higher‑order controls are impracticable and ensure all rope‑access workers hold recognised competency and a thorough rescue plan is in place.

Resources and further reading

For further detail and practical templates, consult WorkSafe Victoria’s published compliance code and guidance on the prevention of falls and cleaning activities. Industry association pages and equipment manufacturers also provide inspection checklists and training pathways. For a local service perspective and examples of compliant operators, consider reviewing professional window cleaning services and their documented safety pages such as window cleaning Melbourne.

General industry blogs and resources can provide practical tips on equipment and scheduling; for example, broader cleaning industry guidance and case studies are available from national service providers and contractors: Stanley Steemer Blog.

What a WorkSafe Victoria inspector will look for

During site audits inspectors commonly check for:

1. Evidence of a current, site‑specific SWMS where required.
2. Appropriate training and HRW licences for operators.
3. Inspected and certified anchor points and equipment.
4. Documented rescue plan and evidence of rescue drills.
5. Pre‑use equipment inspection records and maintenance logs.
6. Coordination records and communication between contractors and the principal site PCBU.

Common breaches and how to avoid them

Frequent issues identified by regulators include inadequate SWMS, untrained operators using EWPs, uncertified anchorages, lack of rescue planning and failure to inspect equipment. Avoid these by instituting robust procedures, verified training pathways and a simple audit checklist used before every job.

Practical tips for small contractors

1. Create template SWMS for typical job types and customise them site‑by‑site.
2. Use a digital register for equipment inspections and training records to make audits simple.
3. Engage a competent scaffolder or an accredited rigger to certify anchorages when required.
4. Outsource complex suspended work to accredited rope‑access companies if you lack certified competence.
5. Invest in regular rescue training and tablet‑based checklists for pre‑start safety briefings.

Conclusion — key actions to implement now

To meet Victoria window cleaning safety regulations, contractors should:

1. Ensure every job starts with a risk assessment and, where required, an up‑to‑date SWMS.
2. Prioritise elimination of height exposure and use collective controls (scaffold, guardrails) where practicable.
3. Verify and record worker competencies, HRW licences and specific training for systems used.
4. Maintain and document inspection and maintenance of anchors, harnesses, ropes and EWPs.
5. Prepare, practise and document a site rescue plan for any job using fall‑arrest or suspended systems.
6. Keep clear records to demonstrate compliance and be ready for WorkSafe inspection.

Following these steps will not only support legal compliance but will materially reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities associated with window cleaning at height in Victoria. If in doubt, consult WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance pages and consider engaging a qualified safety consultant to review procedures and equipment installations.