A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Procedure
An unsafe condition exists when window cleaners clean windshields without safety harnesses. I have cleaned the windshield; myself; so I know how dangerous this task can be.  On more than one occasion; I have asked operations for window cleaning with a proper maintenance stand. I was told the station does not have stands to wash windows. The unsafe procedure of a cabin service person sitting on the open window sill; without a safety harness device; is a poor practice. The cabin service person is holding on to the inside of the aircraft with one hand while cleaning the window with his other hand. If his hand slips off the aircraft; he or she will fall out of the window. As I have cleaned the window; 75% of my body weight is outside the window. A fall from that height will seriously injure a person; or kill them; if they land on their head. A safety rope or harness should be used by personnel hanging out of aircraft windows; holding on with one hand. Pilots should not clean windshields hanging out the windows. Maintenance should clean the windshield using stands or a bucket truck; similar to the deicing trucks; especially at major hubs. Cleaning the windows from the ground with a long stick is ineffective; badly streaks the windows and leaves a film on them.
An A319 Captain described the unsafe practice around washing an aircraft's windshield from inside the aircraft while partially out a side window. Windshield wash stands should be available to prevent injury or death from a fall out the window.