Health and Safety Policy — House Clearance Sydenham

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of our house clearance and rubbish removal teams to provide a safe, healthy and legally compliant working environment. It applies to all activities related to house clearance, domestic and commercial clearance work, rubbish collection and disposal, and ancillary operations carried out within our rubbish company service area. The purpose is to minimise harm, reduce environmental impact and ensure that every clearance project is carried out with due consideration for people, property and the public.

Responsibilities are shared across management and operational staff. Management will ensure adequate resources, implement training programmes and maintain up-to-date risk assessments. Supervisors and crew leaders are required to enforce safe work practices on site and to report hazards promptly. All employees must follow procedures, use personal protective equipment (PPE) provided and participate in safety briefings. Contractors and sub‑contractors engaged for clearance tasks must meet our safety standards before work begins.

Risk assessment and control measures are central to our approach. Before any clearance, a documented risk assessment will be completed to identify manual handling hazards, sharps, hazardous materials, asbestos risk indicators, pest infestation and unstable structures. Assessments will be recorded, communicated to the crew and reviewed where conditions change. We emphasise safe manual handling techniques, mechanical aids where appropriate and strict exclusion zones for public safety. All hazardous items will be segregated and handled in line with statutory requirements.

Training, PPE and Competence

Training is provided to ensure staff are competent to carry out assigned duties safely. This includes induction training, job-specific instruction for load securing, use of lifting equipment, correct disposal procedures for mixed waste streams and procedures for dealing with potentially harmful substances. PPE such as gloves, safety boots, eye protection and high-visibility clothing is mandatory on all operational sites. We will monitor the condition and suitability of PPE and replace items as necessary.

Our policy also addresses environmental protection and waste handling within the clearance service area. All waste will be segregated for reuse, recycling or authorised disposal. We will avoid illegal dumping and ensure licensed transfer stations or licensed waste carriers are used for controlled wastes. Measures include spill control, dust suppression and careful loading of vehicles to prevent litter and contamination of public spaces. Records of waste movements and disposal destinations are maintained as part of our compliance regime.

Controls and safe systems of work include:

• Pre-work checks and site surveys to identify hazards;
• Method statements for complex or high-risk clearances;
• Use of mechanical aids and team lifts for heavy items to reduce manual handling injuries;
• Clear segregation of recyclables, general rubbish, hazardous materials and electronic waste;
• Regular maintenance and inspection of vehicles, tools and lifting equipment.

Hazardous Substances and Special Waste

Where potentially harmful substances are identified, we apply Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) principles, including risk assessment, substitution where possible, and provision of appropriate containment. Asbestos presumption procedures are followed in older properties: if asbestos is suspected, work stops and a competent surveyor is engaged. Batteries, solvents, oils, electrical appliances and chemicals are handled as special waste and transported only by authorised carriers to permitted facilities.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as injury, spillages, fire or structural collapse. First aid kits, trained first-aiders and emergency contact processes are accessible at every operational location. Incidents and near misses must be reported immediately and investigated to prevent recurrence. We maintain an incident log and carry out corrective actions proportionate to the findings. Regular emergency drills and toolbox talks reinforce readiness and clarity of roles.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement are essential elements of this policy. Performance is measured using key indicators such as incident frequency, near-miss reports, training completion rates and audit outcomes. Management will review this Health and Safety Policy annually or after significant incidents, regulatory changes or operational changes. All staff are encouraged to contribute suggestions for improvement and to participate in safety consultations. By maintaining a strong safety culture we protect our team, clients and the wider community while delivering reliable house clearance and rubbish removal services across our service area.