Cleaners Edgware Health and Safety Policy
Cleaners Edgware is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, clients and visitors. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with domestic and commercial cleaning activities within our service areas. It applies to all staff and anyone who may be affected by our work.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, work-related ill health and unsafe conditions by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures. Health and safety performance is integral to the quality of our cleaning services and is given equal priority to other business objectives.
We will regularly review and update our health and safety arrangements to reflect changes in legislation, best practice and the nature of the services we provide.
Roles and Responsibilities
The management of Cleaners Edgware has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented and maintained. Management will:
Provide and maintain safe systems of work for all cleaning activities.
Ensure that staff receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision.
Provide suitable equipment, products and protective measures to reduce risk.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and act on findings.
Employees and contractors are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safe working procedures, training and guidance provided.
Use personal protective equipment correctly and report defects immediately.
Report hazards, accidents, incidents and near misses promptly to management.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our cleaning tasks, including work in homes, offices and other premises. These assessments consider hazards such as slips, trips and falls, manual handling, electrical equipment, cleaning chemicals and lone working.
Based on the outcome of each risk assessment, we implement safe systems of work and provide clear instructions to staff. Employees are expected to familiarise themselves with these systems and to follow them at all times when carrying out cleaning duties.
Training, Information and Supervision
All new staff receive an induction that covers key health and safety topics relevant to cleaning work. This includes the safe use of equipment, correct handling and storage of cleaning products, use of personal protective equipment, fire safety and emergency arrangements.
Ongoing training is provided to refresh knowledge and introduce new or updated procedures. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide guidance to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained across all sites.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
We recognise the importance of safe handling and use of cleaning chemicals. All products used by Cleaners Edgware are assessed under relevant control of substances regulations. Staff are trained to understand the labels on containers, to follow product instructions and to use the correct dilution and application methods.
Chemicals are stored securely and only in suitable containers with clear identification. Staff must never mix cleaning agents, decant chemicals into unlabelled containers or leave products accessible to children, pets or unauthorised persons.
Personal Protective Equipment
Cleaners Edgware provides suitable personal protective equipment for the tasks being undertaken, which may include gloves, eye protection, aprons or other items as required by risk assessments. Employees must wear PPE whenever indicated and ensure it is kept clean, used correctly and reported if damaged or worn.
PPE is considered a last line of defence and does not replace the need for safe systems of work and good housekeeping practices.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Where work involves lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads, staff are trained in safe manual handling techniques. Heavy items should be moved using appropriate equipment or assistance, and staff must not attempt to lift or carry loads that exceed their capabilities.
All cleaning equipment, such as vacuum cleaners, floor machines and other tools, is maintained in safe working order. Staff must carry out basic checks before use, report defects immediately and never use damaged or faulty equipment.
Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention
To reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls, staff are required to keep work areas tidy and to use appropriate warning signs when floors are wet or being cleaned. Cables and equipment must be positioned to minimise tripping hazards, and spillages should be cleaned promptly and safely.
Footwear suitable for cleaning work should be worn, providing adequate grip and support for the expected floor conditions.
Lone Working and Site Security
Some cleaning tasks may involve working alone or outside normal business hours. In such cases, additional precautions are taken, which may include establishing check-in procedures, ensuring staff have access to communication devices and agreeing safe entry and exit arrangements with clients.
Staff are instructed to remain vigilant, to follow agreed security instructions at each site and to leave immediately if they feel unsafe, reporting any concerns to management as soon as possible.
Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported promptly to management. Records are kept and reviewed regularly to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Where necessary, additional control measures will be implemented to prevent recurrence.
First aid arrangements are made according to the nature of the work and the premises being cleaned. Staff are informed of how to access first aid and what to do in the event of an emergency.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Cleaners Edgware encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to share suggestions, raise concerns and participate in improving safety standards. Feedback from staff and clients is considered when reviewing policies and procedures.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or relevant legislation. Updated versions are communicated to all employees to ensure continued awareness and compliance.