Health and Safety Policy for House Clearance Blackwall

House Clearance Blackwall is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors and members of the public affected by our house clearance and waste removal activities. This policy sets out the standards and procedures adopted by our clearance company to manage risks associated with rubbish removal, site clearance and related vehicle operations across our service area. The aim is to prevent injury, reduce hazards, and maintain a safe working environment consistent with industry good practice.

All staff and subcontractors engaged by the clearance company must understand and accept their responsibilities. Managers have a duty to implement safe systems of work, provide appropriate training and monitor compliance, while employees must follow instructions, wear required personal protective equipment and report unsafe conditions without delay. This policy applies to domestic and commercial house clearances, bulky waste collection, and general rubbish disposal operations within the rubbish company service area.

Scope and objectives

The primary objectives of this health and safety policy are: to eliminate or reduce risks to a tolerable level during house clearance operations; to ensure safe handling and segregation of waste; and to preserve the health of all personnel involved in rubbish clearance. The policy covers manual handling tasks, contamination controls, vehicle loading and unloading, use of tools and machinery, working at height, traffic management on site, and safe disposal of hazardous items encountered during clearances.

Our rubbish removal company emphasises risk assessment as a core activity. Before any clearance task begins, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment will be carried out to identify hazards, evaluate risks and determine control measures. Controls will include use of mechanical aids for lifting, exclusion zones when using powered equipment, safe routes for vehicle entry and exit, and procedures for segregation of recyclable and non-recyclable material. Results of risk assessments will be communicated to teams and recorded.

Competence and training are essential. Staff and contractors will receive induction training, regular refresher sessions and role-specific instruction covering PPE, manual handling techniques, infection control, and safe use of lifting equipment. Training records will be maintained and reviewed periodically as part of ongoing workforce development to support the standards expected from a professional rubbish clearance provider.

Personal protective equipment and hygiene

Appropriate PPE must be worn for all practical clearances: safety boots, high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for waste handling, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust, mould or hazardous substances are present. Good hygiene practices, including hand washing and avoiding contact between contaminated gloves and face, are mandatory. Where biological or chemical contamination is suspected, clearance will be postponed pending specialist assessment.

Equipment maintenance and vehicle safety underpin safe operations. All tools, lifting aids and vehicles used by the clearance team shall be maintained to a safe standard and inspected at regular intervals. Drivers and operators will follow safe loading guidelines to prevent shifting loads and ensure stability during transport. Our vehicle procedures support safe rubbish collection across the service area and reduce the risk of incidents on public roads.

Emergency procedures are established and accessible to all workers. These include first aid arrangements, incident reporting, spill control for hazardous materials, and evacuation routes for properties where clearance is taking place. In the event of an incident, staff must follow the emergency plan and notify management immediately. All significant incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Key control measures include:

• Pre-clearance risk assessments and site checks
• Use of mechanical aids to minimise manual handling
• Mandatory PPE and hygiene practices
• Maintenance programme for tools and vehicles
• Clear segregation and secure containment of hazardous items

Monitoring, auditing and review ensure the policy remains effective and appropriate for the range of services the clearance company provides. Regular audits, toolbox talks and safety observations will be used to confirm compliance with the policy and promote continuous improvement. Performance indicators such as incident frequency, near-miss reports and training completion rates will inform management reviews.

The organisation will encourage staff input on safety matters. Employees are empowered to stop work if they consider tasks unsafe and to suggest improvements to systems and equipment. Suggestions and safety concerns will be recorded and, where appropriate, acted upon. This collaborative approach supports a safety culture that protects workers and clients across the rubbish collection and clearance territory.

Management commitment is essential: leadership will provide the resources, training and support necessary to deliver the standards set out here. The health and safety policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if significant operational changes occur. By maintaining high standards, our house clearance and waste removal activities will remain safe, efficient and respectful of public safety and environmental responsibilities.