Safety a priority for UAE window washing company

One of the biggest achievements for Gecko Rope Access Specialists lies in their 100 per cent track record on safety, said Alain El Tawil, an active partner and the company’s director of sales and marketing.

ABU DHABI // One of the biggest achievements for Gecko Rope Access Specialists lies in their 100 per cent track record on safety, said Alain El Tawil.

“Rope access to you is very scary, but I can tell you, it’s one of the safest methods of access,” he said, comparing it to cleaning cradles – the pods that hang off the sides of tall buildings.

He said all of Gecko’s technical work falls under the watch of the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (Irata) – an organisation that certifies employees and the company itself, which must adhere to industry norms, including regular equipment checks, rope replacement and record keeping.

Without certification, Mr El Tawil said, a company could use any type of ropes or type of equipment, for an indefinite period of time. Under Irata’s regulations, they must follow a set of standards, including having their ropes, carabiners, harnesses and record keeping examined and audited by the watchdog.

Separate from technical aspects, he said the company had precautions in place to keep workers safe when dealing with the extreme heat of the region.

The company attempts to work strategically by using the shade whenever possible, while also providing workers with special hydration drinks like Isostar.

Workers also wear a hydration pack full of water on their backs, to keep thirst at bay.

“We really look after our guys,” he said. “At the end of the day, they are our biggest assets.

“I have around 350 guys, so I have 350 families.”

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