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• Question — Tom H

  Hi, I am about to buy a new WFP pole which one would you recomend please.

  Sophie

  Hi Tom, Thank you for your question. It's one we're asked quite regularly, and it's a good one. There isn't a single "best" water-fed pole for everyone because the right choice depends on the type of work you do, the heights you work at, and your budget. From an electrical safety point of view, however, we recommend looking for a pole that offers: Two insulated lower handle sections if you're choosing a carbon fibre pole. Clear safety information and warning labels. Publicly available testing or certification where possible. Good manufacturer support and readily available spare parts. Our July 2026 independent review found several products that stood out for the safety information they make publicly available. At the time of that review, the highest-rated models included: Ionic Systems Hydra range. Equip2Clean / Aquaspray Venom Kevlar range. Gutter Vacuum Systems Kevlar Pro Water-Fed Pole. These products all provided strong public evidence of insulated lower sections together with published testing information or safety claims during our July assessment. It's worth mentioning that our next review is due around mid-August, and manufacturers regularly update products, testing and documentation. If your purchase isn't urgent, it may be worth waiting a few days so you can compare the latest results before making a decision. Whatever pole you choose, remember that no pole should ever be used close to overhead power lines. Even insulated poles are not designed to make working near electricity safe. Electricity can flash over through the air without the pole making contact, so always carry out a visual check before raising your pole and, if in doubt, keep well away and contact the network operator. I hope that helps, and thank you for supporting safer working. Sophie Look Up Look Out

• Question

  I need to purchase the Look up Look out stickers

  Sophie

  Hi, Thanks for your message and for supporting the Look Up Look Out campaign. We currently have two sizes of safety stickers available: Small stickers – designed to be fitted directly onto your water-fed pole. Large stickers – ideal for equipment such as water tanks, hose reels and other appliances. Thanks to the continued support of a number of pole manufacturers, pole stickers are provided completely free of charge. Details are on our home page. under the Request Free Pole Stickers button. Thank you for helping us spread this vital electrical safety message. Every sticker is another reminder to Look Up. Look Out. Sophie Ask Sophie – Look Up Look Out

• Question

  why are insulated poles better

  Sophie

  Insulated poles are better because they provide another layer of protection between the person holding the pole and the conductive sections above them. They do not make it safe to work near overhead power lines and they should never be used as an excuse to work closer to electricity. They are one part of a complete safety system designed to reduce the chances of a mistake becoming a fatal or life-changing accident. At Look Up Look Out, we believe safety should never depend on one precaution alone. Every layer of protection has a purpose. Looking up before raising the pole. Surveying the work area carefully. Completing a proper risk assessment. Keeping the recommended minimum distance from overhead power lines. Using suitable equipment with insulated handle sections. Considering appropriate personal protective equipment where suitable. Following good training and safe working practices. Most importantly, stopping work and walking away if the job cannot be carried out safely. Every one of these layers works together. The more layers you use, the safer you are likely to be. The Look Up Look Out warning sticker is another one of those layers. It is designed to be one of the last things you see before raising your pole. Its purpose is to interrupt routine. Many operators carry out the same movements hundreds of times every week and it is easy to become focused on the window or gutter instead of what is above you. The sticker is there to remind you to stop, look up, look out and think before extending the pole. Before starting work, take the time to survey the whole area, not just the part you intend to clean. Look for overhead power lines, domestic service cables entering buildings, cables hidden by trees or rooflines and anything else that could present a danger. Our website publishes the recommended minimum safety distances and, where it is safe and practical to do so, we recommend using a tape measure to mark those distances on the ground. That simple action gives you a clear visual reminder of the area you must not enter with your pole. If you are unsure about the line, the voltage or the safest course of action, stop and contact the electricity network operator before starting work. Many telescopic poles are made from aluminium or carbon fibre and both materials conduct electricity. If a conductive pole touches an overhead power line, or comes close enough for electricity to flash over, the current may travel down the pole towards the person holding it. An insulated lower handle places electrically resistant material between your hands and the conductive sections above. It is not guaranteed protection, but it is another barrier that a fully conductive pole does not provide. Think of an insulated pole in the same way you think about a seatbelt in a car. A seatbelt does not stop accidents happening. ABS brakes do not make icy roads safe. Airbags do not give you permission to drive carelessly. They are all there in case something goes wrong. An insulated pole should be viewed in exactly the same way. It is there as another layer of protection if the unexpected happens. Imagine you are working on a dark winter afternoon. The light is fading, a power line is partly hidden by trees or blends into the background sky and you fail to notice it before raising the pole. At that moment several layers of protection have already failed. The insulated handle may be the final barrier between you and the conductive upper sections of the pole. We hope it is never needed, but we believe it is far better to have that protection than not to have it. This is one of the reasons why Look Up Look Out encourages manufacturers to produce poles with two insulated lower handle sections rather than just one. During normal use, especially when raising or lowering a telescopic pole, operators often move one hand onto the second section to control the pole or release a clamp. If that second section is conductive, the operator may unknowingly place a hand above the insulated handle. A twin insulated handle helps keep both hands on insulated sections during normal operation and also increases the separation between the operator's hands and the conductive upper sections. We believe that is a safer design, although it should never be regarded as a substitute for maintaining the recommended safety distances. People often ask why we do not simply recommend full fibreglass poles. From an electrical point of view, fibreglass has clear advantages. However, very long fibreglass poles are generally heavier and more flexible than carbon fibre. Professional window cleaners may use a pole for many hours every day and excessive weight or flex can make the job harder and increase fatigue. Carbon fibre became popular because it is lighter and much stiffer, but it is also conductive. For everyday professional work, we believe a practical compromise is twin insulated lower handle sections combined with lighter carbon fibre upper sections. It adds another layer of protection while still providing the performance many operators need. Personal protective equipment should also be considered as another layer of protection. Depending on the work being carried out, this may include suitable footwear, eye protection and, where appropriate, properly specified electrically rated gloves or dielectric footwear. Some manufacturers are already exploring dielectric trainers and other protective equipment for professional pole users. Like every other layer, PPE has limitations and should never be relied upon on its own, but it may provide another valuable level of protection when combined with all the other safety measures. Our website also provides downloadable risk assessment forms because we believe a risk assessment is far more than paperwork. It is an opportunity to stop, think and identify the hazards before the pole leaves the ground. A few minutes spent assessing the site could prevent an accident that changes lives forever. Sadly, this danger is not theoretical. Several people have lost their lives after telescopic poles contacted, or came close enough to, overhead power lines for electricity to flash over. Others have survived with devastating, life-changing injuries. Jason Knight survived a 33,000-volt flashover but lost his left forearm, five toes and parts of both feet and has undergone more than twenty operations. His family's life changed in seconds. Other families never had the chance to see their loved one come home. That is why this campaign exists. We are not saying that insulated poles are the answer to everything. We are saying they are another important layer in a complete safety system. The final decision will always be made by the person holding the pole. The choice to look up. The choice to complete the risk assessment. The choice to keep your distance. The choice to use safer equipment. The choice to wear appropriate PPE. The choice to stop and walk away if the job is unsafe. Insulated poles are better because they add another layer of protection, but they work best when combined with every other layer of safety. Before every job, look up, look out, complete your risk assessment, keep your distance and never take chances with overhead electricity. Those simple decisions could make the difference between going home safely at the end of the day and a tragedy that could have been prevented. I hope this answers your question, Kind Regards Sophie

• Question — Chris Beatwell

  Where can I purchase the look up look out stickers? Thanks

  Sophie

  Look Up Look Out campaign stickers are available free of charge. Please email john@lookuplookout.org with your name and full postal address, and the stickers will be sent out to you as part of the campaign. Kind regards, Sophie Look Up Look Out Campaign

• Question — Kevin D

  Hi I am just starting out window cleaning, what is the best pole i should buy for safety and quality.

  Sophie

  Hi Kevin, thanks for your question and congrats on getting started. It's a great question because the best pole is not just about weight or price, it's about safety and performance too. If your main priority is electrical insulation, a full fibreglass pole provides the highest level of insulation, but they are heavier and less rigid, especially at height. For a lot of cleaners, a hybrid pole with2 insulated lower sections and carbon fibre uppers is a really strong balance of safety and also day to day usability. Based on the evidence we've reviewed, currently the joint leaders are Ionic Hydra, Equip2Clean Aquaspray Venom, and GVS Kevlar Pro water-fed pole. UltraReach UltraSafe is close behind, with Gardiner CLX also offering worthwhile insulation. But since you're new, I would strongly recommend investing in good training as well as kit. Learning safe working practices and proper risk assessment will make far more difference to your long-term safety than any one piece of equipment. We've listed some recognised providers on the training section of our website if you wanted to go and have a look. And just to underline no pole makes it safe to work near overhead power lines. Electricity can arc through air without contact, so always look up first, stay well clear, and if ever in doubt, stop and call 105 for advice from your local network operator. It's great that you're asking about this right at the start of your career and we wish you every success. Regards Sophie & the Look Up Look Out team.

• Question — Kevin

  What is the best safest type of WF pole to use cleaning a roof and solar panels?

  Sophie

  Hi Kevin, That's a cracking question, and one that doesn't get asked often enough. If I was specifically buying a pole for roof cleaning and solar panel cleaning, I'd personally choose a full fibreglass pole. The reason is simple. Fibreglass is the most electrically resistant material commonly used for water-fed poles, so if your priority is reducing electrical risk as much as possible, it's the best choice. Another advantage is that when you're cleaning a roof or solar panels, you're often able to rest some of the pole's weight against the roof or the panels themselves. That means the extra weight and flexibility of a fibreglass pole aren't as much of a drawback as they would be when cleaning high windows all day. That said, it's important to remember that no pole makes working near overhead power lines safe. Fibreglass is more electrically resistant, but electricity can still arc through the air, especially at higher voltages. The safest approach is always to identify overhead power lines before you start, keep well clear of them, and if you can't maintain a safe distance, don't do the job. So, if your question is simply, "What's the safest type of pole for roof and solar panel cleaning?" my answer would be a full fibreglass pole, combined with good planning, a proper site survey, and constant awareness of overhead electrical hazards. Stay safe, Sophie

• Question — Gerry

  What is the law considering working at height , fall prevention etc , maximum working at height without fall prevention and does your insurance cover you if you fall. ?

  Sophie

  Hello Gerry, Thank you for your question. This is an important area because falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of serious injury and death in the workplace. What does the law say about working at height? In the UK, work at height is primarily governed by the Work at Height Regulations 2005. These regulations apply whenever a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. Contrary to what many people believe, there is no specific legal maximum height at which fall protection suddenly becomes required. The law focuses on risk, not a particular number of feet or metres. For example, falling from a step ladder, a flat roof, a conservatory, a scaffold, a cherry picker, or even into an opening or excavation could all fall under the regulations if there is a risk of injury. The regulations require employers and self-employed persons to: • Avoid working at height where possible. • Use suitable equipment and safe working methods. • Prevent falls wherever reasonably practicable. • Minimise the consequences if a fall does occur. • Ensure workers are trained and competent. When is fall prevention required? The first principle is to prevent a fall rather than simply protect someone after they have fallen. Examples of fall prevention measures include: • Guard rails. • Edge protection. • Scaffolding. • Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs). • Properly installed working platforms. • Safety barriers. Where these measures are not reasonably practicable, other controls such as harnesses and lanyards may be used as part of a suitable safe system of work. The exact requirements depend on the task, the location, the duration of the work, weather conditions, and the likelihood and severity of injury should a fall occur. What about window cleaners and pole work? Window cleaners often reduce risk by working from the ground using water-fed poles rather than climbing ladders. This is one of the reasons water-fed pole systems have become so widely adopted across the industry. However, working from ground level introduces other hazards that must still be managed, including overhead power lines, traffic, pedestrians, uneven ground, weather conditions and equipment safety. As always, a proper risk assessment should be carried out before starting work. Will insurance cover you if you fall? This is where many people get caught out. There is no single answer because insurance policies vary significantly between insurers. Many public liability and employers' liability policies will cover claims arising from accidents, including falls, provided you have complied with the policy conditions and applicable health and safety requirements. However, insurers may investigate: • Whether a risk assessment was carried out. • Whether the correct equipment was used. • Whether training was provided. • Whether industry guidance was followed. • Whether the work was undertaken within the policy's stated height limits. Some policies contain specific working-at-height restrictions. For example, a policy may allow work up to a certain height without additional notification, while others may require special cover for higher-risk activities such as roofing, steeplejack work, rope access, or tree surgery. For that reason, it is extremely important to: Read your policy schedule and policy wording carefully. Check for any "height limit" clauses. Confirm with your broker or insurer exactly what activities are covered. Obtain written confirmation if you are unsure. If there is any doubt, speak directly to your insurance broker before carrying out the work. My advice Don't rely on assumptions. Whether you're an employer, self-employed tradesperson, or contractor, take a few minutes to review both your risk assessments and your insurance documents. Understanding your responsibilities before an accident happens is far easier than trying to deal with the consequences afterwards. Working at height can be carried out safely, but only when proper planning, suitable equipment and sensible precautions are in place. Best regards, Sophie

• Question

  How can I stay safe when I have a long pole near power lines and its very windy?

  Sophie

  Ah, a windy day with a pole is basically a kite you don’t want. Step one: Don’t even start. Check overhead lines and wind forecasts before you go up. If it’s windy or unclear, call it off. If in doubt, contact your DNO (105) and get proper assessment. A pole and power lines don’t mix—especially in a gale! Best regards, Sophie.

• Question

  Are you real

  Sophie

  “I’m as real as your morning cuppa—just minus the biscuit crumbs. I’m here, I’m witty, and ready to help—just not in the flesh! Best regards, Sophie.”