The Ontario Window Cleaning Association (OWCA) was formed by a group of window cleaners in the late 80s in an effort to promote safety and education as well as to enhance professionalism throughout the industry. We bring the concerns of our members to the attention of Queen’s Park and are committed to working with the government to ensure that Ontario’s legislative landscape is one in which our window cleaning industry can grow and prosper. 

The OWCA mission is to provide our Members an engagement with education, products and services. We remain committed to providing a safe world-class Association and the information needed to prevent injury and illness. The OWCA vision is to eliminate incidents, injuries & fatalities by sharing information and knowledge for all Ontario Window Cleaning Association members.

You can find out more and join by clicking here or alternatively type this in your address bar: https://www.owca.ca

ROPE ACCESS for Window Cleaners

We reference pre-course study and then provide comprehensive training. This is an example of the one week course practical.

SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE: L 1 

Day 1

• Overview of course materials and course objectives
• Course safety briefing including
• Covid safety and prevention protocols and
• Provincial guidelines for job sites for course duration.
• Thorough rescue plan documentation and operations briefing concept and practice of the daily personal skills log book
• Introduction to Modern two rope system work PPE Class 3 harness and 3 / 4  point Suspension Helmet Fitting
• Theory Presentation

• Ropes, Knot Auxiliary hardware • Professional standards
• Ontario regulations and standards and equipment ratings CSA,ULC, ANSI
• Cordage institute and CE proper use inspection and care of rope
• Personal Protection Equipment
• Rope and hardware
• Pre-Job safety Plan
• Rescue Planning Documentation
• Equipment logging of use
• Practical:Basic Knots
• Equipment Inspection
• Rope Inspection
• Documentation & completing Pre-Job Plan and Rescue Plans
• Basic Anchoring concepts and practical on rope practice at height.
• Use of edge safety pads and friction reduction devices, sleeves mats, etc.
• Basic personal Descent controls devices with Auto stop function and approved rope grab usage
• Course Clean up and Equipment Logging
• Homework Assignment

Day 2

• Pre course safety briefing
• Suspension Trauma PowerPoint presentation: prevention
Understanding the problem, mitigation and in the field treatment while awaiting 911 evacuation and protocols
• Basic and advanced Structural Access and Secondary Anchor systems
• Personal Descent control With Auto Lock Devices And approved rope grab
• Use of podium PPE Chair with auto device
• Secondary Rope Grab practice
Lock and tie off
• Jammed Rappel Device Scenario (self-rescue) and
• Escape from a jammed device • Practice
• Jammed and or stuck Rope grabs • Scenario, escape and progress Self Rescue
• Hanging on safety line drill and ...
.... Deployment of Suspension Trauma straps or foot loops drill (self-rescue)
• Course Clean up and Equipment logging, home work

Day 3

• Pre Course Safety Briefing
• Advanced Structural access
• Complex anchor systems:
• Recognition usage and back up protocol practice
• Basic use of Mechanical Advantage (rescue kits for self and partner rescue)
• Use of Brake Bar rack very for long Vertical Rappels,
• Stopping, securing and self-rescue of a jammed rope grab device
• Repetitive Practice and rigging with bar rack and approved rope grab
• Self-rescue from a jammed rappel device
• Basic Ascending techniques using handled rope Ascender,
• Conversion to rappel to enable work positioning and self-rescue
• Course Clean up and Equipment logging
• Homework assignment

Day 4

• Pre course Safety briefing
• Brake rack Practice session
• Partner Advanced rescue Scenario
• Use of rescue kit
• Horizontal Rope Movement
• Use of work positioning lanyards and rope transfer skills and practice
• Course Clean up and equipment logging
• Online Written Test on standards and equipment techniques as well as job specific standards and best practice

Day 5

• Pre course Safety Briefing
• Core practical R.A.W. B.E.S.T. Skills (full day)
• Evaluation covering all practical access: egress, descending, anchoring, ascending, self-rescue partner rescue and rope transfer and rescue skills
• Written Documentation of multi-page skill evaluation sheet
• Proctored and invigilated by two evaluators
• Course Clean up equipment logging
• Course Participation certificate and wallet card Award