Health and Safety Policy for Cleaners SE5
Cleaners SE5 is committed to providing professional cleaning services in a way that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and the general public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, complying with relevant UK health and safety legislation, and promoting a culture of safe working across all cleaning activities.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, work-related ill health, and damage to property arising from our operations. We will identify hazards associated with cleaning work, assess the risks, and implement practical controls to minimise them. We will provide resources, information, instruction, and supervision to ensure that health and safety responsibilities are met at every level within the company.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management holds overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. Management will ensure that safe systems of work are established and maintained, that suitable equipment and materials are provided, and that staff are competent to carry out their duties. Management will regularly review health and safety performance, update procedures where necessary, and ensure compliance with current legal requirements and industry best practice.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Cleaners SE5 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 company procedures and training, use cleaning products and equipment correctly, wear required personal protective equipment, and report any hazards, near misses, or incidents immediately. Employees must not interfere with or misuse any safety equipment or measures provided for their protection.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all relevant activities, including domestic and commercial cleaning tasks. These assessments will consider slip and trip risks, manual handling, use of equipment, exposure to cleaning chemicals, lone working, and any site-specific hazards. Control measures will be implemented to reduce risks to an acceptable level. Where necessary, written safe systems of work and method statements will be developed and communicated to staff.
COSHH and Control of Cleaning Chemicals
All cleaning substances used by Cleaners SE5 will be managed in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations. Safety information for each product will be obtained from manufacturers. We will assess the risks arising from the use, storage, and disposal of cleaning products and implement appropriate controls, such as using less hazardous alternatives, ensuring good ventilation, and avoiding mixing chemicals. Staff will be trained to understand product labels, follow dilution instructions, and respond correctly to spills or accidental exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be sufficiently controlled by other means, Cleaners SE5 will provide appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, eye protection, or protective clothing. Employees must use the equipment as instructed and report any defects immediately. PPE will be maintained, replaced when necessary, and stored in a clean and hygienic manner.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
We recognise the risk of injury from lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling loads such as cleaning machines, waste bags, and supplies. Manual handling tasks will be assessed and, where possible, reduced or avoided by using mechanical aids, breaking down loads, or adjusting work methods. Staff will receive training in safe manual handling techniques. All cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines, and tools, will be maintained in good working order and used only for their intended purpose by trained personnel.
Workplace and Client Premises Safety
When working at client premises, our staff will take all reasonable steps to ensure the environment remains safe for occupants and visitors. This includes using warning signs where floors are wet, keeping walkways clear of cables and equipment, and handling waste safely. Employees must respect client property, follow any local health and safety rules in place, and immediately report any condition that could pose a risk, such as damaged flooring or faulty lighting.
Lone Working and Personal Security
Some cleaning activities may be carried out by staff working alone or outside normal business hours. We will assess the risks associated with lone working and implement appropriate safeguards, which may include clear communication procedures, agreed check-in arrangements, and ensuring staff have access to emergency contact details. Employees must follow company lone working guidelines and not put themselves at unnecessary risk.
Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents, near misses, and cases of work-related ill health must be reported promptly to management. Details will be recorded, investigated where necessary, and used to identify measures that could prevent a recurrence. Where required, we will comply with statutory reporting obligations. We encourage open reporting and will not penalise staff for raising genuine safety concerns.
Emergency Procedures
Cleaners SE5 will ensure that staff are aware of emergency arrangements at the locations where they work, including fire evacuation routes, assembly points, and procedures for summoning assistance. Employees must familiarise themselves with these arrangements on arrival at a site and follow instructions given by responsible persons. In the event of an emergency, the safety of people will always take priority over property.
Training, Supervision and Communication
We will provide suitable health and safety training for all employees, both at induction and periodically thereafter, to ensure they remain competent in their roles. Training will cover topics such as safe use of chemicals, manual handling, equipment operation, personal hygiene, and emergency procedures. Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure that training is applied and standards are maintained. Important information will be communicated clearly to staff, including any changes to procedures or identified risks.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Cleaners SE5 is committed to continually improving health and safety performance. We will regularly review this policy, our risk assessments, and our working practices to ensure they remain effective and up to date. Feedback from employees and clients, as well as findings from audits and investigations, will be used to inform improvements. This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at least annually and revised whenever there are significant changes to our operations or legislation.
Commitment to a Positive Safety Culture
Everyone at Cleaners SE5 shares responsibility for health and safety. By working together, following agreed procedures, and maintaining a positive attitude towards risk management, we aim to provide a reliable, high-quality cleaning service while safeguarding the wellbeing of our staff, clients, and the wider community.