Certifications

The Garage Safety
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Certifications Make a Difference in the Pressure Washing & Mobile Cleaning Industry

Contractors are raising industry standards by becoming certified in numerous areas. As certification mania sweeps across the industry, and as organizations are moving forward with their own programs, there’s really no question that certification matters. But, as more certification programs become available, how do customers know which the correct contractor with the best certifications?

We at National Cleaning Expo cannot tell you which certifications are “wrong” because many have correct aspects along with some misinformation. However, based on our own careful studies and the input we’ve gathered by having regulators and water authority engineers from three universities at several of our events, we do recognize some programs that stand out head and shoulders above the rest.

One key area where National Cleaning Expo has been leading the way is by fostering the first Wash Water Control Certification in the industry. Sirocco Systems has written a comprehensive wash water certification seminar educating contractors in the mobile wash industry. We like the Sirocco wash plan because it’s the only one in the industry that talks first about reduction, and that washing is actually friendly to the environment. The others only focus on washing being a form of pollution and what can be done to reduce waste after polluting.

You can attend the Wash Water Control School throughout 2012 and 2013 at mini camps throughout the US.

Every contractor should have a wash water control plan in place to reduce the client’s liability and to better understand the positive environmental impacts that washing can accomplish. This wash water plan begins with the evaluation of the job.
Education is powerful. Contractors benefit from being properly educated, and customers feel confident in using contractors who properly understand the laws and impacts of washing.

Customers are aware. They often know the issues. It’s time you know them better than your customers so that you do not look uninformed in front of them. Most importantly, you do not want to misinform your customers by spreading the propaganda that has been promoted in our industry by distributors and manufacturers. This information makes you look inexperienced and you will lose the contract to a well-informed contractor…

So don’t avoid certification just because someone else in the industry says it’s not important or unnecessary. Who are the ones telling you this? Are they possibly your competition?

We at NCE know that certifications don’t make you a better contractor or person. They just make you aware and let your customers know you understand the right way. No one can make you practice what you learn.

Ron musgraves National Cleaning Expo

Ron Musgraves text me for questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute

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Ouch! I can understand you thinking you should have the job and not the other guys, but what makes you a REAL company and them not a REAL company, seems like ego to me.

I’ve always been taught that you never criticize the competition you just beat the pants off of them. A lot of blue collar occupations want everyone to see them as “Professionals” when really all that word means is that they get paid for what they do. There is even one guy who sells a course in window washing that makes a big deal out of the difference between being a “Window Cleaner” and not a “Window Washer” he even has a big spiel he made up as to the difference (and if he can get enough people to believe it it will even become true).

Back to the topic I am for use to always be searching for ways to make ourselves better but unless there is a compelling reason I don’t see certification (I might get one for my own self improvement if there is some there to learn) since it lays the foundation for Government oversight and higher levels of Unionization. Will it come anyway? Yes, but for now I enjoy the freedom of this occupation as much because I am not a slave to these things as I do from the satisfaction of doing a good job by anyones standards.

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Spoken like a true lobbyist! Is that good or bad, depends on what side you are on…

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Chris,

I have just finished reading every page in this thread. I think that there are many, many examples from other types of service trades from which I will approach the answer to your question…

Home appliance repair techs, HVAC techs, Automotive techs, Electricians, etc, etc, the list goes on. What do we as WC’rs have in common with them? We start(ed) with basic knowledge and refined it through experience.

We can look at and draw from examples of what these service trades require; How the observer “grades” or determines whether or not the individual is ready to do the work; And of course, how the buying public determines with whom they will enter into a contract.

And I think that is a good place to start with some of the responses to your question. (Perhaps even discover a starting place as to how a WC’r might be certified.)

How does the WC’g tech safe-guard the work area for themselves as well as the customer or public?

  • [COLOR=“green”]Are CAUTION signs or floor signs set-up to warn people that work is being performed in the area? (Is the WC’r safe-guarding against potential slip hazards and consequent legal action?)
  • Are ladder levelers/stops/etc being used properly? (Do they know how to use them?)
  • Has the WC’g tech been the trained in proper handling of bird feces with regards to potential diseases that can be transmitted by improper handling or work procedures?
  • When using poles, how has the tech been safety certified when working near powerlines? (Personally, I would hope that is not administered as a live pass/fail field test. :rolleyes:)
    [/COLOR]

Okay, so those are just some very basic, but very viable examples. (Perhaps other members could add to these examples.) I think you see where I’m going with this. There are some basic safety topics that each of us does, perhaps without really thinking about them. And these particular items are not restricted by the type of WC’g job at hand. :wink:

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Thank you!

I appreciate that you did read the entire thread and that your post is both well stated and well reasoned.

I do not agree however for for several reasons two among them being;

  1. In essence we are talking about age old philosophical arguments of Greater Good VS [URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty”]Personal Liberty both of which were popularized by John Stuart Mills in his 1859 book "[URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty”]On Liberty"

  2. While the Slippery Slope Theory is often considered a fallacy it is not always so, especially in cases where it provides financial incentives to a few individuals or opportunities for governmental growth.

I do however see the invariability of mandatory certifications in the near future because historically Americans, because of fear have voluntarily given up their Liberties for the promise of security (also see quotes from Benjamin Franklin on the matter).

In these matters I have to side with Personal Liberties every time in an attempt to protect my Civil liberties from further degradation.

Michael Kelly

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Where are you now? I see your traveling

QUOTE=Nomad;159608]Thank you!

I appreciate that you did read the entire thread and that your post is both well stated and well reasoned.

I do not agree however for for several reasons two among them being;

  1. In essence we are talking about age old philosophical arguments of Greater Good VS [URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty”]Personal Liberty both of which were popularized by John Stuart Mills in his 1859 book "[URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty”]On Liberty"

  2. While the Slippery Slope Theory is often considered a fallacy it is not always so, especially in cases where it provides financial incentives to a few individuals or opportunities for governmental growth.

I do however see the invariability of mandatory certifications in the near future because historically Americans, because of fear have voluntarily given up their Liberties for the promise of security (also see quotes from Benjamin Franklin on the matter).

In these matters I have to side with Personal Liberties every time in an attempt to protect my Civil liberties from further degradation.

Michael Kelly[/QUOTE]

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I’ve been in Nebraska now for a few months remodeling my sisters house (for free).

Michael Kelly

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Safety certification should be a requirement for all industries.

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I would be all for that statement if it read “Safety Certifications should be available for all industries” a person would be foolish if they were not familiar with safety precautions, but when we make it a REQUIREMENT we take away thier freedom to choose to do the right thing.

Michael Kelly

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There are fools in this world.

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You hit the nail on the head there John! And it’s the exact reason why there should be some required safety certs. Many see it as a “big brother” incursion but there are to many fools and cowboys in this industry right now. Besides, if you’re doing things properly what are you afraid of anyway? I’m not talking about an expensive course either and maybe it could be used to garner a lower insurance rate. The recent rash of accidental window cleaners dying because of safety reasons should alarm us and make us want to see our industry get safer.

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I do see it as an Incursion, but I don’t claim your “Big Brother” as a relative!

Truly, I do agree with you guys but not as a required for ground level or low ladder work and especially not for those businesses doing ground work that keep themselves small enough that they are exempt from OSHA (I think it was less than 5 employees last I looked).

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I think it should be across the board - no exceptions. It could have levels of certification. One for no ladder work, another for ladders up to 3 stories, one for midrise (up to 6 stories) and one for high-rise (over 6 stories).
If you do wfp work you get certified based on how high you work.

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Wow, are you really saying it really doesn’t that requiring certification for some of this work fails any conceivable need based on risk assessment? To heck with everyone who is in this line of business just because it gives them a little relief from over regulation and that they would then work illegally just on principle? Because of your fairness?

I do respect your right to state your opinion, I am just exercising mine…

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I can’t follow your post. Can you reword the question?

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I want to clarify my opinion of certifications…

I think they can be good. I am not sure if I agree that everybody should be ‘certified’. I would like to see window cleaners have to be licensed, much like a general contractor, HVAC, or electrician. Having to pass a test to prove they know what they are doing would be great. I think this would help make the trade more professional.

Where I have a problem with certifications, and where I think they hurt the industry, is when they are obtained simply with money, with little to no test to prove their knowledge. Giving them a logo that looks official and legit to fool the customer into thinking they are “authorized”, “licensed”, or “accredited”.

I remember seeing a picture of a “certified” roof cleaner that was using a trash can to clean roofs. Now I don’t believe the association that certified this company would condone this kind of practice, as it’s extremely unprofessional. But how do they enforce that?

That’s the reason I would rather WCRA not certify or get involved with this. I don’t think the WCRA is at a point that they have the time or resources to enforce or to ensure that the certified members are doing things in a professional manner. I would much prefer the WCRA continue to do what they are doing - providing marketing information and material to help the business grow.

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Micah, I agree w/ that. I would want testing as part of certification. It wouldn’t hurt a bit for the window cleaning industry to be a licensed trade. It’s not just cleaning windows anymore. We may use chemicals that are dangerous on differing stains or debris. The coatings on glass make it more than a splash and dash business anymore. People should be able to expect an educated tradesman working on and around their home. A license and certification (w/ proper testing) is reasonable at this point.

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IWCCI certification does require testing, and retesting every 5 years. The various levels of certification basically do follow your earlier posts recommended types of testing/certification, including a unit on chemical safety. It’s good to remember, no matter what one thinks about the I14.2safety standard, or the two organizations that partnered to create it (BOMA and the IWCA), it IS the document cited and used by OSHA for inspection, investigation, and citation. So having a safety certification built around the I14 does make sense, even if just to protect oneself (actual safety being the main reason, of course). It is not neccessarily an approval or endorsement of these organizations or the standard, just an acknowledgement of OSHA’s view.

Also, a slight correction to Nomad’s post: Solo owner/operator’s ARE exempt from OSHA citations, but even just one part time employee qualifies you for inspection and/or citiation.

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Steve I was leaving Boma out, its ok most of these guys don’t even know what it is. Nice Post

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WCRA doesn’t have any business getting involved in a major Safety training at this stage. Dangerous and not responsible is what it would be.

A completion or awareness certificate stating that would not be, its a start in a forward direction.

I see and understand your concerns, Micha if we don’t start some place these other peoples dumb certs are hurting the industry.

Customers want to know your employees are practicing safety, just saying it doesn’t always get the job.

WCRA has to and can make them real. Its up to the members here, not your or I. We are just 2 shares in 400 Plus members, and 1000’s watching in.