Health & Safety Policy for Flat Clearance Clapham

Purpose: This policy sets out the commitment of the flat clearance team to maintain a safe working environment for employees, contractors, residents and the public. It applies to all aspects of our flat clearance, rubbish removal and waste disposal activities. The aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property while delivering a reliable clearance and rubbish collection service across our service area.

Scope and obligations

This policy covers all operations related to flat clearance, rubbish clearance and associated waste management tasks. It applies to manual handling, hazardous materials handling, transport, temporary storage and site tidiness. Management will ensure that suitable resources are available and that all personnel are made aware of their responsibilities under this policy. Compliance with current health and safety law and best practices for waste removal and clearance services is mandatory.

Responsibilities: The following responsibilities are defined to keep roles clear and action measurable:

• Management: establish and review the health and safety policy, provide training, and ensure adequate equipment and PPE.
• Supervisors: conduct risk assessments, monitor safe work practices and report hazards promptly.
• Operatives: follow safe systems of work, use PPE correctly and report incidents without delay.

Risk assessment and safe systems of work are central to preventing incidents during flat clearances and junk removal operations. A documented assessment will be carried out before work begins to identify hazards such as sharps, asbestos risk indicators, unstable items, biohazardous waste and obstructions. Where risks are identified, control measures will be implemented proportionately — elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements are defined based on task and risk: gloves, high-visibility clothing, protective footwear, eye protection and respiratory protection when indicated. PPE must be maintained, cleaned and replaced according to manufacturers' guidance. Safe manual handling techniques, mechanical aids and team lifts are prioritised to reduce musculoskeletal injury during heavy rubbish removal or bulky item clearance.

Hazardous materials and segregation

Hazardous wastes such as solvents, batteries, asbestos-containing materials, sharp objects and contaminated textiles will be segregated and handled according to legal requirements and disposal best practice. Staff will be trained to identify potential hazardous items and to isolate them until a competent assessor determines the correct disposal route. Labelling, secure containment and preventing cross-contamination are essential components of safe waste handling in every clearance job.

Vehicles and transportation safety are addressed through vehicle maintenance schedules, safe loading procedures and driver fitness checks. Loads must be secured to prevent shifting and spillage of waste during transit. Drivers must follow highway regulations and operate within designated service area constraints to protect the public and ensure timely, safe rubbish removal operations. Vehicle risk assessments include manual handling at load points and safe access to vehicles.

Training and competence form a core part of our safety programme. All staff undertaking clearance, rubbish collection, or waste removal duties will receive induction training and periodic refreshers on hazard recognition, safe handling, PPE use and incident reporting. Records of training and competence assessments will be maintained. Continuous improvement is encouraged so teams can adopt safer working methods and more efficient clearance practices.

Emergency procedures cover first aid, fire response, spill containment and incident escalation. An appointed first aid responder will be available on site where practicable, and all operatives will be familiar with emergency contact arrangements and evacuation procedures. Incidents, near misses and property damage must be reported and recorded; a root-cause review will determine corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Regular monitoring and auditing of health and safety performance is carried out through site inspections, toolbox talks and scheduled reviews. Key performance indicators include incident frequency, training completion rates and compliance with risk control measures. Management will review this policy annually or after significant changes to working practices, equipment or legislation relevant to flat clearance and waste removal services.

Contractor and subcontractor management requires that third parties engaged in clearance work adhere to the same safety standards. Pre-engagement checks, evidence of insurance and confirmation of competence are required. Where external contractors operate on behalf of the company, coordination of safe systems and risk communication must be documented and mutually agreed.

This policy supports safe, lawful and efficient removal and recycling of unwanted items and rubbish from flats and communal properties. It is designed to protect workers, residents and the public while enabling consistent operational delivery. Adherence to these provisions ensures we maintain a robust and responsible clearance service across the service area.

Review and commitment: The leadership team remains committed to providing the necessary resources to implement this health and safety policy and to fostering a culture where safety is integral to every clearance task. Employees are encouraged to participate in improvement activities and to raise concerns without fear of reprisal. Together we will maintain high standards of safety, environmental responsibility and quality in all our rubbish removal and clearance operations.