House Clearance Charlton – Health and Safety Policy

Purpose and scope: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures for House Clearance Charlton operations and related rubbish removal services across our rubbish company service area. The policy applies to all employees, contractors and any personnel involved in waste clearance, house clearance in Charlton, or rubbish collection activities commissioned by the company. Its aim is to protect people, property and the environment by minimising risks associated with domestic and commercial waste removal.

Legal compliance and commitment: We commit to complying with applicable health and safety legislation, relevant waste management regulations and best practice for the house clearance industry. The organisation will maintain systems to identify and manage hazards encountered while providing Charlton house clearance services and the broader rubbish company service area. Senior management will ensure that sufficient resources, training and supervision are provided to implement this policy effectively.

Responsibilities

All staff engaged in house clearance and waste collection are responsible for working safely and following this policy. Management responsibilities include risk assessment, provision of PPE, maintenance of vehicles and equipment, and ensuring that safe work methods are available and followed. Employees must report hazards, near misses and incidents promptly and cooperate with investigations. Contractors operating in the rubbish company service area must demonstrate equivalent standards before engagement.

Risk assessment and control measures

Risk assessments will be conducted for all significant activities, including intrusive house clearance, bulky item removal, vehicle loading and disposal of hazardous items. Controls will be implemented on the hierarchy of risk control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and use of PPE. Typical measures include mechanical aids for lifting, safe manual handling techniques, segregation of waste streams and secure loading practices to prevent shifting during transit.

Training and competence: All staff receive induction training and job-specific instruction, covering manual handling, safe use of equipment, hazardous waste awareness and emergency procedures. Regular refresher training and competence checks are in place to ensure standards are maintained across our house clearance teams. Supervisors will monitor performance to ensure safe systems of work are consistently followed within the rubbish removal and waste clearance service area.

Personal protective equipment and hygiene: The company provides appropriate PPE, including gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and eye protection where required. PPE is part of a wider control strategy and not a sole measure. Workers are required to maintain good hygiene, wash hands after handling waste and avoid eating or drinking in contaminated areas. Any damaged or inadequate PPE must be reported and replaced immediately.

Vehicle and site safety: Vehicles used for house clearance, rubbish collection and waste transport will be maintained to a safe standard with documented checks and scheduled servicing. Drivers and loaders must follow safe loading protocols to prevent overloading and ensure loads are properly covered and secured during transport. Delivery and collection points will be assessed for access, stability and pedestrian hazards prior to commencement of work.

Hazardous and special waste handling: We have clear procedures for identifying and managing hazardous items commonly encountered during house clearance, such as paints, solvents, batteries, asbestos-containing materials and medical waste. These items will be segregated, labelled and handled in accordance with legal and environmental requirements. If an item is suspected to be hazardous and requires specialist removal, work will stop and the item will be referred to qualified personnel or an authorised hazardous waste contractor within the rubbish company service area.

Monitoring, incident reporting and review

The company maintains a system for recording incidents, near misses and non-conformances. All relevant events are investigated, documented and corrective actions implemented to reduce recurrence. Regular audits, toolbox talks and management reviews ensure the policy remains effective and up to date. Performance indicators such as incident rates, training completion and vehicle inspection records are reported to senior management as part of continuous improvement.

Emergency procedures and first aid

Emergency arrangements are in place for injuries, hazardous material exposure, fires and spillage incidents encountered during house clearance operations. First aid kits and trained first aiders are available on jobs as appropriate. Spill kits and containment materials are carried where there is a risk of fluid or hazardous substance release. Emergency contacts and action steps are communicated to staff at induction and repeated during site briefings.

Waste segregation and environmental controls: To minimise environmental impact, waste will be segregated into re-use, recycling and disposal streams consistent with duty of care obligations. Where possible, materials suitable for recovery will be diverted from landfill. The company operates within its permitted rubbish company service area transfer and disposal arrangements and ensures correct documentation accompanies consignments of waste.

Policy review and employee involvement: This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed annually or sooner following significant changes to operations, legislation or after serious incidents. Employee consultation is integral to the policy; staff are encouraged to provide suggestions for safer working methods. Managers will communicate updates and ensure that revised procedures are implemented promptly across all house clearance and rubbish removal activities.

Summary of key controls:

• Planned risk assessments for each job and site.
• Appropriate training and competence checks for all personnel.
• Provision and use of PPE and mechanical lifting aids.
• Documented vehicle and equipment maintenance regimes.
• Clear hazardous waste procedures and referral to specialists where required.

Conclusion: By adhering to this policy, House Clearance Charlton and its associated rubbish removal and waste clearance services commit to protecting employees, clients and the public while operating responsibly within the rubbish company service area. Continuous monitoring and staff engagement will ensure safe, lawful and effective delivery of house clearance services.