Health And Safety Policy
Cleaners SW11 Health and Safety Policy
Cleaners SW11 is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing accidents and promoting safe working practices across all locations where we operate.
Policy Statement and Objectives
The management of Cleaners SW11 recognises its duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of all employees and others who may be impacted by our work. We aim to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures.
Our key health and safety objectives are to provide and maintain safe systems of work, ensure that all employees receive appropriate information, instruction and training, consult with staff on health and safety matters, comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and review and improve our safety performance on a regular basis.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. They are responsible for ensuring that effective arrangements are in place for the implementation, monitoring and review of this policy.
Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for promoting safe working practices, carrying out site-specific checks, ensuring cleaners follow agreed procedures, and reporting hazards, accidents and near misses.
Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes following all safety instructions and training, using equipment and personal protective equipment correctly, reporting hazards and incidents promptly, and cooperating with the company on all health and safety matters.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Cleaners SW11 carries out risk assessments for all key tasks and for the typical environments in which we operate, such as residential properties, offices, communal areas and commercial premises. These assessments identify potential hazards, evaluate the level of risk and specify the control measures required to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work and method statements are developed where necessary. Employees are informed of relevant risks and are trained in the correct procedures to follow. Risk assessments and procedures are reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change to work activities, equipment or locations.
Training, Information and Supervision
All new employees receive health and safety induction training before commencing work. This includes information on company policies, emergency procedures, accident reporting, safe use of equipment and chemicals, and manual handling techniques.
Ongoing training is provided where required, covering topics such as safe cleaning methods, working with specialist equipment, use of personal protective equipment, control of substances hazardous to health and dealing with sharps or bodily fluids where applicable. Supervisors provide regular supervision and coaching to ensure safe practices are maintained.
Use of Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
We recognise that cleaning often involves the use of chemicals and other substances that may pose health risks if not used correctly. Cleaners SW11 only uses products that are suitable for professional cleaning and are supplied with appropriate safety information.
All hazardous substances are assessed, and information on safe handling, storage, dilution and disposal is provided to employees. Where required, personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks or eye protection is supplied and must be used in accordance with company procedures. Chemicals are kept in clearly labelled containers and are never mixed unless specifically instructed by the manufacturer.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. This may include gloves, masks, aprons, eye protection and non-slip footwear, depending on the task and environment.
Employees are responsible for using PPE as instructed, checking it before use and reporting any damage or defects. The company is responsible for supplying suitable PPE, replacing items when necessary and providing instruction on its correct use and maintenance.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Many cleaning tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or using equipment. To reduce the risk of injury, staff are trained in safe manual handling techniques and are encouraged to avoid unnecessary lifting by using trolleys or other aids where available.
All electrical and mechanical equipment supplied by Cleaners SW11 is maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly. Employees must visually check equipment before use, follow operating instructions, and remove faulty items from service until they are repaired or replaced.
Housekeeping, Slips and Trips
Good housekeeping is essential to prevent slips, trips and falls. Staff are required to keep work areas tidy, manage trailing cables carefully, display warning signs when floors are wet, and clean up spillages promptly and safely.
Where possible, cleaning tasks that create slip risks are planned to minimise disruption to clients and the public. Warning signs and barriers are used as appropriate until floors are dry and safe to walk on.
Infection Control and Hygiene
Cleaners SW11 promotes high standards of hygiene and infection control. Employees are trained in safe cleaning techniques for kitchens, bathrooms, communal areas and high-touch surfaces. Where there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids or other potentially infectious materials, additional controls and PPE are used.
Hand hygiene is emphasised, and staff are encouraged to wash or sanitise hands regularly, especially after using cleaning chemicals, after contact with waste or sanitary facilities, and before breaks or meals.
Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to a supervisor or manager as soon as possible. Accurate records are kept and reviewed to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Where appropriate, investigations are carried out to determine root causes and to implement corrective actions. Lessons learned are shared with relevant staff to prevent recurrence.
Emergency Procedures
Employees are briefed on emergency procedures relevant to the premises where they work, including fire evacuation routes, assembly points and the location of first aid provisions where this information is made available by the client.
Staff must follow site-specific rules and cooperate with building management or responsible persons during any emergency. Where our teams work alone or out of normal hours, additional arrangements may be implemented to ensure their safety.
Policy Review and Communication
This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request. It is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards or company operations.
Cleaners SW11 is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance and encourages feedback from employees and clients to help us maintain safe, reliable and professional cleaning services.