Health and Safety Policy — House Clearance Brimsdown

Purpose: This health and safety policy sets out the commitments and standards for safe working across our house clearance and rubbish removal operations. It applies to all staff, contractors and anyone engaged with our domestic clearance and junk removal services. Our aim is to protect people, property and the environment while delivering reliable house clearing and waste removal services in a professional manner.

Scope: The policy covers routine house clearance activities, bulky waste collection, recycling segregation and site clearance tasks. It addresses manual handling, vehicle operations, hazardous materials, site assessment, personal protective equipment and the safe use of tools. All personnel must comply with this policy during every job, from small flat clearances to full property clear-outs.

Responsibility: Everyone involved in any Brimsdown house clearance or rubbish collection task shares responsibility for safety. Managers will ensure risk assessments, safe systems of work and appropriate training are in place. Employees are expected to follow instructions, report hazards and wear required PPE. Contractors engaged for specialist removal must demonstrate competence and safe practice before starting work.

Risk assessment: Before each clearance, a recorded site assessment must be carried out to identify hazards such as sharps, asbestos suspect materials, fluids, unstable furniture and access restrictions. Control measures will be established to eliminate or reduce risks. This forms the basis of the method statement for the job and informs team briefings.

Safe systems: Work will be organised to reduce manual handling and slips, trips and falls. Mechanical aids, two-person lifts and appropriate lifting techniques are mandatory where risk is identified. Vehicles will be loaded and secured to prevent shifting in transit. Traffic and parking considerations at collection points will be assessed to protect operatives and the public.

Training and competence: Staff must receive training in safe manual handling, hazardous material awareness, safe vehicle loading, and emergency procedures. Refresher training will be provided regularly. Only trained people will handle specialist waste categories and potentially contaminated items.

Personal protective equipment: Appropriate PPE must be worn for all clearance tasks. This includes gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe footwear and eye protection as required. Respiratory protective equipment will be used where dust or airborne contamination is likely. The correct PPE will be identified in the job method statement and provided by the employer.

Hazardous and controlled waste: Items suspected of containing asbestos, solvents, chemicals or biological contamination must not be handled until assessed by a competent person. Such items will be segregated, labelled and disposed of through authorised channels. Our rubbish clearance and waste management procedures prioritise safe, compliant disposal while minimising environmental impact.

Emergency procedures: Clear protocols exist for first aid, fire, exposure to hazardous substances and vehicle incidents. Staff must know how to summon emergency services and follow the on-site incident procedure. Near-miss reporting is encouraged to help improve safety systems and prevent future harm.

Roles and Responsibilities: Management will ensure resources for safe operations including maintenance of vehicles and equipment, provision of PPE and documented risk assessments. Supervisors must ensure that daily briefings cover specific site hazards and that work is paused if conditions become unsafe. Workers are expected to act responsibly, use equipment correctly and report hazards immediately.

Monitoring and compliance: Regular inspections, audits and toolbox talks will monitor adherence to this policy. Any non-conformity will be investigated, and corrective actions implemented. We will track incident trends arising from house clearance, waste transfer and rubbish collection tasks to continuously improve standards.

Key elements include:

• Pre-job risk assessment for each property or collection point
• Clear method statements and briefings for teams
• Mandatory PPE and training records
• Safe segregation and disposal of hazardous items
• Vehicle safety checks and load security

Environmental considerations: House clearance services and rubbish removal activities will seek to maximise reuse and recycling, reducing landfill and environmental harm. Waste will be sorted where practical and taken to authorised facilities. Fuel-efficient driving and route planning are promoted to reduce emissions during collections and clear-outs.

Incident reporting: All injuries, incidents and near-misses must be reported promptly and recorded. Investigations will identify root causes and implement improvements. Records will be kept to review performance and inform training needs.

Review and continual improvement: This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in operational practice, waste regulations and health and safety guidance. Staff consultation is an essential part of review processes. Our objective is to maintain a reliable, safe and professional house clearance and rubbish service that protects people and property while delivering efficient waste removal.

Commitment: We are committed to maintaining high standards of safety across all clearance, rubbish collection and removal activities. By adhering to this policy, applying safe systems of work and fostering a positive safety culture, we ensure that domestic clearances and property removals are completed without compromise to health or safety.

Signed on behalf of the management team: This statement represents the organisation's approach to health and safety for house clearance, junk removal and rubbish clearance operations. It will be communicated to staff and made available during inductions and safety briefings.

Policy maintenance: This document will be retained as part of the company’s safety records and updated as necessary to reflect operational changes and lessons learned from incidents. Adherence to this policy forms a core part of our commitment to safe, responsible and efficient house clearance services.