House Clearance Wallington Health & Safety Policy

Purpose: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of House Clearance Wallington to provide safe, compliant and professional house clearance and rubbish removal services across our rubbish company service area. The policy applies to all staff, contractors and visitors and covers clearance operations, waste handling, transport and on-site behaviour. It is intended as a legal and operational statement to ensure risks are managed, duties are assigned and safety standards are maintained throughout every clearance project.

Scope: The policy applies to domestic and commercial property clearances, including bulky waste collection, hazardous item handling and mixed-load waste transfers. Our obligations include ensuring employees receive adequate training, providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), conducting risk assessments and maintaining clear procedures for manual handling, waste segregation and safe vehicle operation. The company will regularly review processes to reflect industry best practice for waste clearance and rubbish removal services.

Responsibilities: Senior management is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy and ensuring resources are allocated for safe operations. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure risk assessments are completed before work begins and that staff follow safe systems of work. Employees are required to report hazards, participate in training and use PPE as instructed. Contractors and subcontractors operating within our rubbish company service area must comply with these standards and provide evidence of competency and insurance prior to works commencing.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Before every job, a site-specific risk assessment will be carried out, considering trip and fall risks, unstable items, sharps, asbestos suspicion, chemical contamination and access limitations. Control measures will include cordoning off hazardous zones, clear signage, two-person lifts for heavy items and using mechanical aids where practicable. All safe systems will be documented and communicated to the team during pre-start briefings, and any changes during the job must be recorded and communicated immediately.

Training and Competency: Staff will receive induction training and ongoing refresher courses covering manual handling, safe lifting techniques, vehicle loading and securing, hazardous waste awareness and incident reporting. Training records will be maintained and reviewed at set intervals. Competency checks and toolbox talks reinforce expectations; personnel must demonstrate knowledge of the rubbish removal process, safe operation of equipment and emergency procedures before working unsupervised.

Personal Protective Equipment and Equipment Safety: Appropriate PPE will be provided and maintained, including gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, eye protection and respirators when necessary. Equipment such as trolleys, lifting straps, and tail-lifts must be inspected before use and taken out of service if faults are found. Vehicles used for waste clearance will be maintained under a planned inspection regime to ensure roadworthiness and secure containment of loads within the service area.

Waste Handling, Segregation and Hazardous Materials

Waste will be segregated at source wherever possible, separating recyclable materials, general waste, bulky items and hazardous wastes. Items suspected to contain hazardous substances (e.g., asbestos, chemicals, contaminated materials) will be isolated and referred to authorised disposal routes. Clear procedures govern the handling, labelling and transport of hazardous items to minimise risk to staff, clients and the environment, and failure to follow these procedures is a disciplinary matter.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics: Manual handling assessments will guide the safe method of moving heavy or awkward items. Team lifts, mechanical aids and correct posture are mandatory where risks are identified. Supervisors must ensure that manual handling plans are in place for each task and that staff rotate duties to reduce repetitive strain. Injuries or near misses must be reported immediately and investigated to prevent recurrence.

Accident Reporting, Investigation and Emergency Response: All incidents, near misses and occupational illnesses must be reported promptly through the company reporting system. Investigations will identify root causes and corrective actions. Emergency procedures include first aid provision, clear access for emergency services, and arrangements for dealing with chemical spills or suspected contamination. Regular drills will be scheduled to ensure familiarity with emergency protocols across the rubbish removal workforce.

Maintenance of Records and Legal Compliance: The company will retain records of risk assessments, training, equipment inspections, waste transfer notes and incident reports in accordance with regulatory retention requirements. While this policy outlines our commitment, statutory responsibilities remain with individuals and regulatory bodies. House Clearance Wallington will cooperate with inspections and audits to demonstrate compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations relevant to waste clearance operations.

Subcontractors and Third Parties: Where subcontractors are engaged to extend capacity, they must operate to the standards set in this policy. Contracts will include health and safety clauses, and evidence of training, insurance and safe working practices will be checked before engagement. The company reserves the right to suspend or terminate relationships if third parties fail to meet safety expectations.

Continuous Improvement: This policy is subject to periodic review and will be updated to reflect operational changes, incidents, legislative developments and industry best practice. Performance will be measured through audits, incident trends and staff feedback. Our objective is a reduction in accidents, safe and efficient rubbish collection and waste clearance services, and assurance to clients that safety is integral to every project undertaken by House Clearance Wallington.