The nation’s window-cleaners should be employed in a nationwide rolling programme of sanitisation to fight the Coronavirus, according to the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC).
The FWC is calling for the Government to launch an initiative like the schemes operated by other countries, to disinfect problem areas during the pandemic.
The virus can live on surfaces such as door handles and street furniture for some time, meaning people can be at risk of catching it every time they touch something outside their home.
The industry body for window-cleaners says that the thousands of colleagues who have van mounted, backpack or trolly water-fed pole systems have the right kit needed to do the job.
The FWC wants the Government to fund councils to pay and coordinate local window-cleaners to regularly spray disinfectant in key public outside areas such as outside food shops which have stayed open and hospitals, in high streets and at car parks and bus, tram and underground stops.
Andrew Lee, Chairman and Safety Officer at the FWC and MD at J A Lee, said: “I think this is a great idea and a great opportunity for FWC members and the industry to contribute to the country’s response to Covid -19. I know my own company has these resources.”
Paul Thrupp, FWC Executive member and Director for Retail Destinations at OCS, said: “A national sanitisation programme employing window-cleaners could play a major role in defeating Coronavirus and saving lives.
“Other countries have launched sanitisation programmes and we strongly believe that the UK should use this approach as well.
“The Army does not have the equipment to spray disinfectant in the quantities needed and neither do local councils, but thousands of the nation’s window-cleaners do.
“With the country in such a crisis, we have to think outside the box and use all the resources at our disposal to fight Coronavirus.“
David Saville, Operations Director, Principle Window Cleaning, said: ”We could provide a sanitisation programme in preparation for re-opening of sites. It would be great for seating areas, doors, balustrades, smoking areas – any open or public spaces.”
Scott Smith, MD, Smiths Services, said: “I think this is good news and a good opportunity for window cleaners to play their part in helping beat this virus.
Michael Lamont, MD, Lamont’s Cleaning Services, said: “It would be great if we could supply an essential service like this to help protect NHS and work towards a cleaner, safer working world.”