The window cleaning industry has undergone significant change over the last decade. Advances in equipment, particularly the widespread adoption of water-fed pole systems, have helped operators work more efficiently and safely than ever before. However, alongside these benefits comes a serious and often overlooked risk, overhead power lines.
A Life-Changing Accident
In April 2024, window cleaner Jason Knight suffered a tragic accident when a 33,000-volt shock electrocuted him while using a water-fed pole near a power cable. He lost his forearm and sustained severe injuries to his feet and legs. Now Jason is on a mission to raise awareness and help prevent similar incidents by educating window cleaners on how to use water-fed poles safely near power cables.
Although the pole did not make direct contact, the electricity arced through the air, causing catastrophic injuries and leaving Jason fighting for his life. Thanks to the rapid response of emergency services and specialist medical teams, he survived. Since then, as well undergoing surgery, recovery and rehabilitation, he has dedicated himself to raising awareness of the dangers associated with overhead power lines and promoting safer working practices throughout the industry.
His message is simple – you don’t need to touch a power line for electricity to kill. High voltage electricity can travel through the air and strike equipment, causing life changing injuries or worse.
Jason Knight pictured with Alexander Swan Insurance Services Managing Director Sarah Richards
The Risks Facing Window Cleaners
Many modern window cleaning methods involve the use of long-reach poles, ladders and access equipment. While these tools improve productivity and reduce working-at-height risks, they can also bring operatives closer to overhead electrical hazards.
Industry safety guidance consistently advises window cleaners to:
- Check for overhead power lines before work begins
- Assess the surrounding environment before using water-fed poles
- Maintain safe distances from electrical infrastructure
- Avoid working in adverse weather conditions
- Stop work immediately if there is any uncertainty regarding safety
For professional window cleaners, safety is not simply a compliance exercise. It protects lives, businesses, employees and customers.
Strong health and safety procedures can help:
- Reduce the likelihood of serious accidents
- Demonstrate professionalism to clients
- Support compliance obligations
- Protect business reputation
- Reduce the risk of costly claims and business interruption
At Alexander Swan we have worked with window cleaning businesses across the UK for over 25 years and understand the unique risks faced by professional window cleaners every day. That’s why we are proud to support Jason Knight’s “Look Up, Look Out” campaign, which is helping to raise awareness of the potentially fatal dangers of working near overhead electricity lines.
As specialist insurance brokers, we regularly see the importance of proactive risk management. The safest businesses are often those that take the time to continually review their procedures, training and working practices. Every business is different, which is why we take the time to understand how you operate before recommending the most appropriate cover.
Look up. Look out.
Supporting a Safer Industry
Jason Knight’s campaign serves as a powerful reminder that no job is worth risking your life for. By raising awareness and encouraging better safety practices, initiatives such as Look Up, Look Out are helping to make the industry safer for everyone.
Whether you are a sole operator or manage a team of window cleaners, take a moment before every job to assess your surroundings.
Sarah Richards, Managing Director of Alexander Swan said, “We are proud to support Jason and the Look Up, Look Out campaign. His tragic accident serves as a powerful reminder of the risks that window cleaners and other tradespeople can face every day when working near overhead power lines. As specialists in the window cleaning sector we understand the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards and promoting best practice across the industry and by sharing Jason’s story we hope to help raise awareness, prevent future accidents and encourage everyone to take a moment to look up and look out.”
We proudly support Jason’s quest to reinforce the importance of safety standards in the industry. You can learn more at lookuplookout.org