Health and Safety Policy — House Clearance Heston

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of House Clearance Heston to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees, contractors, customers and the public within our rubbish collection service area. The policy applies to all aspects of our house clearance service, waste clearance and general removal operations. It is designed to meet legal requirements and to reflect industry best practice for a professional rubbish removal company. The purpose of this document is to identify responsibilities, outline procedures and state controls to prevent injury, ill health and environmental harm.

Our management team will ensure that adequate resources are allocated to implement and maintain this policy. Key objectives include hazard identification and control, continuous staff training, provision of suitable equipment, and consistent monitoring of performance. All staff are required to cooperate with safety measures and to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. Safety is an integral part of every job, whether collecting household waste, transporting bulky items or performing a full property clearance.

This policy is applicable across our entire service area and covers routine house clearance jobs as well as more complex removals involving potential hazards such as asbestos-containing materials, sharps, chemical containers and electrical goods. The company recognises that a proactive approach to risk management reduces incidents and improves operational efficiency. Every clearance assignment will be preceded by a dynamic risk assessment and site-specific control plan where necessary.

Senior management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented effectively. Managers and supervisors must ensure that safe systems of work are prepared, that employees receive appropriate instruction and that personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and used. Employees have a duty to follow the procedures, use PPE correctly and report any hazards or near misses immediately.

The company will provide training and competency checks for: manual handling, safe lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids, vehicle loading and unloading, segregation of recyclable and non-recyclable waste, and identification of hazardous materials. Training records will be maintained and reviewed periodically to ensure skills remain current. We will also carry out periodic toolbox talks and safety briefings before complex clearances.

Specific duties include maintaining clear communication between the house clearance team, vehicle operators and site representatives. Drivers must ensure vehicles are roadworthy, loads are properly secured and waste manifests are completed where required. Supervisors must verify that waste is handled according to environmental regulations and that hazardous items are isolated and dealt with by authorised contractors where needed.

All tasks will be subject to risk assessment prior to commencement. Assessments will identify risks such as slips, trips and falls, manual handling injuries, collapsing loads, exposure to biological or chemical hazards, and vehicle movements. Control measures will follow the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Where hazards cannot be eliminated, we will reduce risk through safe working procedures, supervision and appropriate equipment.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, protective boots and eye protection, will be provided and maintained. Manual handling will be minimised by using trolleys, hoists and other aids. We will ensure that staff are fit for tasks and will offer alternative duties for those with medical restrictions. All welfare facilities required to support safe working will be provided for the team while on site.

Workplaces will be kept tidy and access routes maintained to prevent incidents. The company operates a strict policy on alcohol and drug use: zero tolerance applies during working hours and on site. Any employee found to be impaired will be removed from duties and supported through established occupational health procedures.

The handling and disposal of waste will comply with applicable environmental and hazardous waste regulations. We will segregate recyclables, hazardous items and general waste at source where practicable and ensure hazardous materials are stored safely pending transfer to licensed disposal facilities. Documentation, including waste transfer notes, will be completed accurately to maintain traceability.

Incident reporting and investigation procedures are in place: all accidents, near misses and environmental incidents must be reported without delay. Investigations will identify root causes and corrective actions will be implemented to prevent recurrence. Records of incidents and lessons learned will be used to update risk assessments and training programmes.

The company commits to regular monitoring and review of health and safety performance. Audits and inspections will be carried out, and performance indicators such as lost time injuries, reported near misses and compliance checks will be reviewed by management. This policy will be reviewed at least annually or following a significant change in operations to ensure ongoing suitability and effectiveness. By maintaining clear responsibilities, robust controls and active engagement with staff, House Clearance Heston aims to deliver safe, reliable and compliant clearance and rubbish removal services across its service area.