Health & Safety Policy — Flat Clearance Wimbledon

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the approach of Flat Clearance Wimbledon to managing workplace risks associated with domestic and commercial clearance, waste handling and rubbish removal activities. The purpose of this policy is to protect employees, contractors, residents and the public during clearance operations within the company's service area. It reflects a commitment to comply with relevant health and safety obligations and to promote a culture where safety and responsible waste management are central to every job.

Policy Statement

Flat Clearance Wimbledon will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that hazards related to rubbish collection, waste clearance and associated transport are identified and controlled. This includes implementing safe systems of work, providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), delivering regular training and maintaining plant and vehicles to safe standards. The company will ensure roles and responsibilities are defined and that continuous improvement in safety performance is pursued.

Scope and Application

This policy applies to all employees, sub-contractors and temporary staff engaged in waste removal, junk collection, bulky item disposal and related clearance services. It covers activities undertaken on client premises, public spaces and in transit. The scope includes manual handling, sorting and segregation of materials, operation of lifting equipment, driving and reversing vehicles, and disposal practices that affect occupational safety and environmental compliance.

Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are established to ensure effective implementation: management will provide leadership, resources and oversight; supervisors will ensure safe systems are followed on site; and employees will follow safe working procedures, report hazards and use issued PPE. Everyone involved in clearance operations is expected to actively participate in hazard identification and risk control.

Risk assessment is central to our approach. Before any clearance task is started, a suitable and sufficient assessment will be carried out to identify manual handling risks, contamination or sharps, asbestos suspicion, hazardous substances, vehicle movements and public safety issues. Control measures will be applied, documented and communicated to the team. The company will maintain records of assessments and review them where work conditions change or after an incident.

Training and competence: Flat Clearance Wimbledon will provide training that is relevant to the tasks performed including safe lifting techniques, use of PPE, vehicle safety, correct use of tools and equipment, spill response and basic first aid. Training will be refreshed at appropriate intervals and competency will be monitored through supervision and periodic assessment.

Operational Controls

Operational controls for rubbish company activities include safe segregation of waste streams, clear labelling of hazardous items, and secure loading practices to prevent shifting during transport. The company requires that all staff follow documented procedures for handling recyclable materials, hazardous household waste and bulky items. Any suspicion of asbestos-containing materials will trigger immediate cessation of manual handling and notification to a competent assessor.

Vehicles and equipment shall be inspected daily. Drivers and operators must ensure load security, use appropriate lifting aids and follow safe reversing practices. Maintenance schedules are in place to minimise mechanical failure. For high-risk tasks, two-person teams or mechanical handling aids will be used to reduce manual handling injuries in rubbish removal and waste clearance operations.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting: all staff will be instructed on emergency response, including first aid arrangements, fire and spill management, and procedures for extraction or medical assistance. Incidents, near-misses and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly so corrective actions can be taken and lessons learned shared across the clearance service area.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement: the company will undertake regular inspections, audits and performance reviews to measure compliance with this policy. Records of incidents, training, risk assessments and inspections will be maintained and used to inform improvements. Where statutory changes affect rubbish removal practice or waste regulation, the policy and procedures will be updated accordingly.

Health and welfare provisions include ensuring staff have access to handwashing facilities or sanitiser, rest breaks and suitable welfare arrangements when working on prolonged clearances. The company recognises the physical demands of clearance work and will take proactive steps to monitor worker health and fit-for-duty status.

Implementation of this policy will be supported by clear communication, visible management commitment and participation by the workforce. Underpinning all activities is the company’s obligation to protect people and the environment while providing reliable rubbish collection, clearance and waste management services across the designated service area. This document is a formal statement of intent and will be signed off by senior management and reviewed at planned intervals to ensure it remains effective and relevant.