Health and Safety Policy for Cleaners Roehampton
Cleaners Roehampton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks associated with domestic and commercial cleaning services in the local area.
We recognise our duty to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice. We aim to prevent accidents, work-related ill health, damage to property and harm to the environment through careful planning, training, supervision and continuous improvement.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Cleaners Roehampton rests with the company management. Management is responsible for implementing this policy, ensuring adequate resources are available and reviewing performance on a regular basis.
Supervisors are responsible for day-to-day monitoring of safe working practices, communicating procedures to staff and reporting any concerns or incidents to management without delay.
All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow all safety instructions, attend training sessions, use equipment correctly and report hazards, near misses and accidents as soon as they occur.
Risk Assessment and Control Measures
Cleaners Roehampton carries out risk assessments for all significant tasks, locations and cleaning activities. These assessments identify potential hazards and the people at risk, and determine the control measures needed to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Control measures may include the use of suitable cleaning products, appropriate personal protective equipment, safe systems of work, clear signage, adequate supervision and appropriate training. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever work practices, equipment, substances or premises change.
Training, Information and Supervision
We ensure that all cleaners receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their duties. Training includes the safe use of cleaning equipment and chemicals, manual handling, personal protective equipment, slips and trips prevention, lone working, infection control and emergency procedures.
Information about specific risks at client premises is provided to employees before work commences. Supervisors monitor standards of work and provide guidance and refresher training where needed to maintain safe and effective performance.
Safe Use of Equipment
All equipment used by Cleaners Roehampton, including vacuums, floor machines and other specialist tools, is selected, maintained and inspected to ensure it is safe and suitable for the intended tasks. Equipment is used only by staff who have been trained and authorised.
Employees must check equipment before use, follow manufacturer instructions and company procedures, and remove from service any item that appears damaged or unsafe. Defects must be reported promptly so that repairs or replacements can be arranged.
Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
We manage cleaning chemicals and other hazardous substances in line with applicable safety requirements. Safety data and handling guidance are obtained for each substance, and any significant risks are assessed before use.
Chemicals are stored securely, clearly labelled and used only for their intended purpose. Employees are trained to follow correct dilution, application and disposal procedures, and to use appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks or eye protection where required.
Personal Protective Equipment
Cleaners Roehampton provides suitable personal protective equipment to employees where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. This may include gloves, aprons, masks, eye protection and suitable footwear.
Staff must use the protective equipment provided, keep it in good condition and report any loss or damage. Replacement items are supplied without delay to ensure ongoing protection.
Manual Handling and Workplace Safety
To reduce the risk of injury, employees receive guidance on safe manual handling techniques for lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. Wherever possible, heavy or awkward loads are avoided, broken down into smaller loads or handled using appropriate equipment.
During cleaning tasks we take practical steps to prevent slips, trips and falls, such as keeping cables tidy, using wet floor signs, working in well lit areas and maintaining good housekeeping standards. Where work takes place on client premises, we aim to cooperate with the client to ensure safe access and movement throughout the site.
Lone Working and Client Premises
Some of our cleaning services are carried out by staff working alone or outside normal business hours. We assess risks associated with lone working and implement appropriate control measures, which may include regular check-ins, clear routes of communication and restrictions on high risk tasks when alone.
When working in homes or business premises, staff must respect security, confidentiality and any site-specific rules that affect safety. Entry and exit procedures must be followed and any concerns about the condition of the premises or behaviour of others must be reported.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to a supervisor or manager as soon as possible. We maintain records of these events, investigate the causes and take action to prevent recurrence.
Employees are informed of emergency arrangements relevant to their work, including what to do in the event of fire, serious injury, chemical spill or other incident. Where work is carried out on client premises, staff must familiarise themselves with the local emergency exits and procedures before starting work.
Health, Welfare and Wellbeing
Cleaners Roehampton recognises that good health and wellbeing support safe and reliable work. We encourage staff to raise any health issues, work-related concerns or stress factors that could affect their safety or performance. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate to support individuals at work.
We promote good hygiene practices, especially when carrying out cleaning tasks related to washrooms, kitchens and waste disposal, to minimise the risk of infection and illness.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals or when significant changes occur in our work, services or legal requirements. We seek feedback from employees and clients to help improve safety standards and working methods.
By working together and following this policy, Cleaners Roehampton aims to maintain a professional, safe and reliable cleaning service that protects our employees, our clients and the wider community.