Health and Safety Policy — House Clearance Holborn

Purpose and scope: This Health and Safety policy explains the standards and practices that govern our house clearance operations. It applies to all workers, contractors and anyone engaged with our clearance and rubbish removal services. The goal is to protect people, property and the environment by ensuring safe working methods, clear responsibilities and a culture of continuous improvement. This document covers house clearance activities, bulky waste handling, and on-site safety controls for a professional rubbish company operating across its service area.

All personnel must read and acknowledge this policy before undertaking clearance tasks. The policy outlines general duties and safe systems of work, including pre-job planning, risk assessment, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment. Management commits to providing adequate resources, training and supervision so that every job is completed with safety as the first priority. Our clearance service ethos is to combine efficiency with rigorous safety standards.

Responsibilities: Senior management retains overall responsibility for health and safety strategy and compliance. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing procedures on-site, conducting job-specific briefings, and ensuring that waste removal crews follow safe working practices. Workers must actively follow instructions, use safety equipment, report hazards and participate in safety training. Subcontractors engaged for specialised tasks must meet our safety expectations and provide evidence of suitable competence.

Risk assessment and safe systems of work

Every clearance assignment must begin with a documented risk assessment that identifies hazards such as manual handling risks, hazardous waste, sharps, pest contamination, unstable structures and vehicle movements. From assessment outcomes we develop a safe system of work that includes task sequencing, exclusion zones, supervision levels and emergency arrangements. The risk assessment will be proportionate to the scale and complexity of the removal job and revisited if conditions change.

Manual handling and lifting: Manual handling procedures are central to house clearance safety. Teams are trained in correct lifting techniques, use of lifting aids (trolleys, sack trucks, lifting straps) and two-person lifts where appropriate. Heavy or awkward items will be assessed for mechanical assistance or additional personnel. Workers must wear suitable footwear and gloves to reduce injury risk during sorting, lifting and loading of waste.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing

Use of PPE is mandated where risk assessments indicate it. Standard PPE for clearance crews includes high-visibility clothing, protective gloves, safety boots, eye protection and dust masks or respirators when dust or airborne contaminants are present. PPE is inspected, maintained and replaced as necessary to ensure continued protection. Wearing appropriate clothing is a basic expectation for all staff on operational sites.

Handling and segregation of waste: Effective waste segregation reduces health risks and ensures responsible disposal. Crews will separate recyclables, general rubbish, bulky waste and suspect hazardous materials. Items that may contain asbestos, chemical containers, batteries or pesticides are treated as hazardous until assessed and segregated for specialist disposal. Clear labelling and containment minimise exposure and facilitate lawful, safe handling by waste transfer operators.

Vehicle and loading safety: Vehicles used for clearance and rubbish removal are maintained to a high standard and loaded according to safe loading plans to prevent shifting, overloading and spillage. Drivers and loaders receive instruction on securement methods, safe access to load areas and vehicle stability. Where parking or access constraints exist, alternative plans are made to protect workers and the public during loading and transit.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting: All teams will be briefed on emergency procedures including first aid provision, fire response and spillage containment. Incidents, near misses and injuries must be reported immediately so that investigations can identify root causes and preventive actions. Records of incidents and corrective measures are retained and reviewed to support ongoing safety performance improvements.

Training, competence and supervision: We invest in practical training for clearance teams covering manual handling, hazard recognition, PPE use and safe vehicle operations. New starters receive induction training and supervised practical experience. Supervisors conduct periodic competency checks and toolbox talks to reinforce safe working methods. Continued professional development ensures staff remain competent in evolving best practices for house clearance and rubbish removal services.

Monitoring, audits and continuous improvement: Safety performance is monitored through routine site inspections, audits and reviews of incident data. Key performance indicators include completion of risk assessments, training records, incident rates and compliance with waste segregation standards. Findings lead to corrective actions, refresher training and updates to procedures to ensure a proactive approach to reducing risks.

Policy review and commitment: This Health and Safety policy is reviewed periodically to reflect operational changes, emerging risks and improvements identified through monitoring. Management and staff share responsibility for its implementation and improvement. The aim is to deliver a safe, reliable and professional house clearance service that protects workers, clients and the wider community while maintaining responsible rubbish removal across our service area.