Safety Standards: ANSI/IWCA I-14 Window Cleaning Safety Standard

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of guidelines that impact businesses in nearly every sector. The International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) was formed by a group of window cleaners in an effort to promote safety and education, as well as enhance professionalism
throughout the industry.

The ANSI/IWCA I-14 standard is designed to serve as a guide in the formation of safety rules and regulations for the industry. It is to be used as a reference by registered professional engineers and architects as well as by manufacturers of window cleaning equipment and devices. This standard applies to all window cleaning operations performed on the inside and/or outside of any building in which the window cleaner is working from a level that is located more than 48 inches (1200 mm) above grade, or above an adjoining flat roof or other flat surface. Employers must provide safety equipment and devices and maintain this equipment in safe operating conditions at all times.