Like it or not, work-related injuries happen. You never wake up in the morning thinking you are going to get injured at work, but each year nearly 3.5 million people suffer on-the-job accidental injuries and each day approximately 9,000 workers seek emergency medical treatment. Within the window cleaning industry there is an exceptional focus on safety training and safety practice. In fact, as recently as June 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor announced an alliance with the International Window Cleaners Association to solidify the commitment of both parties to provide a safer work environment for window cleaners. Still, the nature of the work is dangerous and accidents, although few and far between, happen. The best and most effective method of safe practice is always prevention, but when injury occurs, knowledge and a plan of action can help to prevent a small injury from becoming a major health issue....

While the 21-year-old International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) is high profile and often at the forefront of news coverage, the younger, smaller and lesser known organizations are still flying somewhat under the radar but with nonetheless important purposes and followings. For that reason American Window Cleaner Magazine periodically checks in with them to find out what’s new or on the horizon. In addition to talking with leaders of the Association of United Window Cleaners (AUWC) and Master Window Cleaners of America (MWCoA), we searched globally and found both the newest and oldest federations known to exist. Herein is our report....

People in many professions, if they’re lucky, have had a mentor.

Window cleaners all around our nation have great stories to share about what their mentors have meant to them as they’ve developed their own businesses. Some of them have gone on to become mentors to others just starting out.

Join us on a cross-country trip as we discover just how much mentors mean to a few of those in the industry....