- Tested up to 3000 volts
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Jason Knight lost his left forearm and was told he might not walk again after surviving a 33,000-volt electric shock
There are calls for tougher rules around the use of window cleaning equipment after a man was hit by a 33,000-volt shock.
Jason Knight, 36, from Westbury in Wiltshire, said he thought he was going to die when the deadly current jumped two metres (6.6ft) from an overhead cable to his cleaning pole in light winds last April.
Now, the MP for South West Wiltshire, Dr Andrew Murrison, along with Mr Knight’s family are urging the British Standards Institute (BSI) to implement stricter guidance.
Scott Steedman, director general of standards at BSI, confirmed that new guidance on the use of long poles was under discussion.
But during a parliament debate on Thursday, Disability Minister Stephen Timms said new rules were unnecessary as in the specific case of a 33kV line, the Energy Networks Association advises a clearance distance of three metres (9.8ft) to be maintained.
He added: “I should perhaps also point out that the federation provides a training course on using water-fed poles and portable ladders, which is approved by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.”
Mr Knight had been a self-employed window cleaner for two years and worked across Wiltshire
Mr Knight was thrown about two metres (7ft) across a garden and airlifted to a Bristol hospital after the incident, in which he was described as “lucky to be alive”.
At Southmead Hospital, doctors performed 17 operations, which included his forearm and toes being amputated.
The dad-of-three, who is losing his sight, is now attempting to adjust to life with a prosthetic arm.
His father John warned the type of cleaning pole used could be a “potentially lethal piece of equipment”.
He told BBC Radio Wiltshire: “The danger is present and real – and for the sake of everybody we need to address this.”
John, who lives in Warminster, vowed to keep campaigning for change for his “amazing” son whose life has been forever changed.
John Knight (left) and his son Jason are calling for changes within the window cleaning industry
In parliament on Thursday, Dr Murrison called for authorities to “design danger out of tools”.
“It should not have mattered that he [Mr Knight] was close to a power line, because the pole should have been fully insulated, but it was not.
“This debate is not about banning water-fed poles.
“This debate is about designing danger out of tools in the first place, not just warning people to be careful while continuing to sell sub-optimal equipment,” he said.
Following the debate, Mr Steedman said the BSI’s national committee, which is responsible for technical standards, will consider new guidance on long poles.
“We will confirm the timeline for any update in 2026,” he added, “Jason’s story underlines the need for robust safety standards.”
For more information on the risks please download a copy or our guidance: https://f-w-c.co.uk/…/Guidance-for-Window-Cleaners-v5…
For safer, non-conductive water-fed poles, look
SimPole.com the main innovator of nonconductive, tested water fed poles ! The water fed guy does it again !
For safer, non-conductive water-fed poles, look for brands like Zalvus.tech® (specifically tested for solar panel safety), XERO, Gardiner, and ProTool, focusing on poles made from materials like high-modulus carbon fiber or fiberglass that are tested to resist conductivity, but remember no pole is 100% safe near live electricity, so always prioritize distance and treating all power sources as live.
• Zalvus.tech: Offers poles specifically for solar panel cleaning, claiming 100% non-conductivity and testing up to 20,000 volts, using conductive-resistant materials.
• XERO & Gardiner: Known for high-quality carbon fiber poles that are lightweight and rigid for better control, reducing strain and increasing safety through maneuverability.
• ProTool: Their Apex poles are 100% carbon fiber, offering a balance of strength and lightweight handling for stability.
• OVA8: Provides various high-modulus carbon fiber options, including the “Ultra Modulus,” for ultimate performance and control.
• Pure Water Power: Offers full carbon and hybrid options, focusing on rigidity and secure clamp systems.
What Makes Them Safer?
• Materials: High-modulus carbon fiber and fiberglass offer better rigidity and reduced electrical conductivity compared to cheaper materials, though they still aren’t fully insulated.
• Design: Anti-spin clamps and ergonomic designs reduce fatigue and improve brush control, making them easier and safer to handle at heights.
• Water itself conducts electricity, so even non-conductive poles are not foolproof.
• Always maintain a safe distance (at least 10 feet, often more for higher voltages) from power lines and electrical fixtures.
• Treat all electrical systems as live and never let the pole or water contact them.
SimPole is widely recognized for pioneering the “all-section” non-conductive design, being among the first to wrap every individual section of the pole in protective materials like Kevlar and fiberglass. While other brands may only insulate the handle, SimPole’s approach provides a continuous barrier across the entire telescopic length.
• Layered Protection: Their poles typically feature a “Carbon Fiber Inside, Non-Conductive Outside” construction, combining the rigidity of carbon fiber with a protective outer skin.
• High-Voltage Testing: Models like the SimBlue are tested to resist significantly higher voltages than many competitors, with some ratings reaching up to 15,000–20,000 volts.
• Pioneering History: Since 2007, SimPole has specifically marketed “safety poles” designed to mitigate the risks associated with overhead power lines and live solar installations.
• Material Durability: The use of Kevlar weaves not only provides electrical resistance but also acts as a wear indicatorand increases the physical durability of the sections.
While SimPole was a leader in developing all-section insulation, brands like Ionic Systemswere also early innovators, introducing the first commercially available non-conductive poles that met formal safety standards in the late 1990s.
For further comparison, you can view SimPole’s full collection of non-conductive poles or check out their solar-specific cleaning systems.
Would you like to compare the voltage ratingsof specific SimPole models against other brands like Zalvus or Ionic?
When comparing non-conductive poles, the “Gold Standard” is whether the pole is fully insulated (every section) or just base-insulated (only the handle). SimPole was indeed a pioneer in the “every section” approach.
Here is a breakdown of how the top non-conductive models compare in terms of voltage resistance and construction:
Voltage Resistance & Construction Comparison
Brand / Model Voltage Rating Construction Strategy Key Safety Advantage
SimPole(SimBlue / Excalibur) Up to 20,000V Kevlar/Fiberglass outer wrap on every section. If any part of the pole touches a line, you are protected.
Zalvus.tech(Solar Pole) Up to 20,000V Proprietary non-conductive composite. Specifically engineered for high-voltage solar farms.
Ionic Systems(Grafter) Up to 100,000V Specialized fiberglass (not Carbon Fiber). Extremely high dielectric strength, but heavier than Carbon.
Gardiner(Insulated Handle) Not Rated Carbon Fiber with an insulated base section. Only protects if you are holding the bottom section specifically.
In the window cleaning and solar industry, many “non-conductive” poles only insulate the outermost (bottom) section. This is problematic for two reasons:
1. Section Overlap: If you are working at a height where the 2nd or 3rd section is exposed and it touches a wire, the electricity can jump past the insulated handle.
2. Mistakes: If a worker accidentally grabs the pole above the insulated handle, the protection is negated.
SimPole’s specific contribution was ensuring that the carbon fiber (which is highly conductive) is never exposed. By using a Kevlar/E-Glass hybrid skin, they created a pole that maintains the stiffness of carbon fiber without the electrical risk.
Important Technical Considerations
• The “Water Factor”: Even with a 20,000V rated SimPole, if you are using tap water or “dirty” water, the water inside the tube and the film of water on the outside of the pole can still conduct electricity.
• Pure Water Safety: Using Deionized (DI) water actually lowers conductivity, but it should never be relied upon as a primary safety measure.
• Dry vs. Wet: Most voltage ratings (like SimPole’s 20kV) are tested in dry conditions. A wet pole in the rain significantly reduces the effective insulation.
I can help you look into the weight-to-stiffness ratio of these poles (since non-conductive wraps usually make poles slightly heavier), or I can find the current pricing for the SimPole Excalibur versus the Zalvus models. Which would be more helpful?
SimPole models are generally slightly heavier than standard carbon fiber poles because of the protective Kevlar and fiberglass skinsadded to every section. However, they remain competitive due to their high-modulus carbon fiber cores.
The weight depends heavily on the specific series and reach you choose:
• SimPole SimBlue (32-foot): Typically weighs approximately 5.4 lbs. This is their most popular mid-range non-conductive option.
• SimPole Excalibur (40-foot): Often weighs around 6.5 to 7 lbs. This model uses higher-grade carbon to keep the weight down despite the added safety layers.
• SimPole 50-72 foot models: These can range from 9 lbs to 14 lbs. At these extreme heights, SimPole uses “Ultra-Modulus” carbon to prevent the pole from becoming too heavy or “noodly.”
To give you a benchmark, a standard 30-foot “conductive” carbon fiber pole usually weighs about 4 to 4.5 lbs. By choosing a SimPole, you are essentially carrying an extra 1 to 1.5 lbs of “safety armor” to ensure the pole is non-conductive.
You can check the specific weight for every height increment on the SimPole Product Pageor browse their Lightweight Series for smaller residential jobs.
Would you like to see the weight-per-sectionbreakdown, or are you trying to decide if a 30-foot vs. 40-foot model is better for your specific truck setup?
The Quick Silver series is SimPole’s latest evolution in non-conductive safety, specifically optimized for high-reach commercial work and solar farm safety. It builds on the original SimBlue design by increasing rigidity for long extensions while maintaining the signature “all-section” insulation.
• Voltage Safety: Like other premium SimPole models, it is engineered with a non-conductive exterior and has been tested to withstand between 3,000V and 20,000V.
• Weights for Long Reach:
• 54-foot model: This pole is designed to reach up to 60 feet (with extensions) and is part of their “Safer QuickSliver” line.
• General Weight: While specific per-foot weights for the Quick Silver vary by section count, SimPole’s high-reach Kevlar-wrapped poles generally range from 9 lbs to 14 lbs for their 50-72 foot systems.
• Construction: It features an Ultra-High Modulus (UHM) carbon fiber core for maximum stiffness, wrapped in a protective silver-colored Kevlar/fiberglass skin.
• Durability Features: Includes updated twist-lock aluminum clamps and “wear indicator” weaves in the overlap sections to prevent over-extension and material fatigue.
The Quick Silver (often associated with the ShoGun UHM Silver series) focuses on reducing “pole whip” at extreme heights. Where the original fiberglass/Kevlar poles were heavy, the Quick Silver uses higher-grade carbon fiber to keep the pole manageable for all-day use while ensuring the conductive carbon is never exposed.
For more details, you can visit the SimPole non-conductive product category or view the specific Quick Silver 54′ product page.
Are you planning to use this for solar panel cleaning specifically, or for multi-story commercial window cleaning near power lines?
for brands like Zalvus.tech® (specifically tested for solar panel safety), XERO, Gardiner, and ProTool, focusing on poles made from materials like high-modulus carbon fiber or fiberglass that are tested to resist conductivity, but remember no pole is 100% safe near live electricity, so always prioritize distance and treating all power sources as live.
