/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

Those high-altitude window washers seem pretty radical. How can I get into this intriguing profession?

By Toronto Life
Copy link

Those high-altitude window washers seem pretty radical. How can I get into this intriguing profession?—Chris Cunningham, High Park

Well, Spidey, it’s a small field. With just a handful of companies and only about 100 washers in town, breaking in can be tough. The intrepid high-altitude guys (and they’re all guys, by the way) are mostly European immigrants with alpine rigging skills—although past experience is not a prerequisite. The Construction Safety Association offers a three-day crash course covering the basics; those who can hack the heights graduate to informal apprenticeships with veteran wall crawlers. Keys to surviving the gig include mastering rope, rigging, and Davit arms (those cranelike contraptions that support the washer’s weight). You’ll also need the wherewithal to face such environmental rigours as rain and blustering winds. The ability to shoot webs from your wrists is a considerable asset.

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Latest

Affordable multiplexes in Etobicoke? Not if the neighbours have a say
Real Estate News

Affordable multiplexes in Etobicoke? Not if the neighbours have a say

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.