Health and Safety Policy for Flat Clearance Finchley

This Health and Safety Policy establishes the commitment of the flat clearance operation to maintain safe working conditions, protect employees, contractors and the public, and manage risks associated with waste removal and clearance tasks. The document applies to all flat clearance activities carried out by our team across the rubbish company service area and related waste removal operations. It is designed to be practical, proportionate and to reflect legal obligations while remaining accessible to staff and supervisory personnel.

The core objective is to prevent injury, ill health and environmental harm through robust risk management, appropriate training and clear accountability. All staff must follow safe systems of work, use correct protective equipment and report hazards promptly. The policy supports continuous improvement in health and safety performance for domestic and commercial rubbish clearance, including bulky item disposal, recyclable segregation and hazardous material handling where encountered.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management will ensure that adequate resources are allocated for safety, including competent supervision, provision of training and suitable personal protective equipment (PPE). Line managers are responsible for conducting risk assessments for each clearance job and ensuring method statements are available. Employees and contractors must cooperate with safety measures, attend required training and use approved equipment correctly.

The following responsibilities are emphasised:

• Senior management — set policy direction, provide resources, review performance and ensure legal compliance.
• Supervisors — carry out pre-job briefings, verify risk assessments and monitor control measures on site.
• Operatives — follow safe work procedures, wear PPE and report incidents or near-misses immediately.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Risk assessments will be performed for all clearance tasks and reviewed when conditions change. Typical risks include manual handling injuries, slips and trips, exposure to sharps, dust and biohazards, vehicle movement incidents and fire. Controls will follow a hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administer and use PPE. For example, mechanical aids and team lifts reduce manual handling risks, while secure traffic management reduces vehicle-related incidents within the rubbish collection service area.

Specific control measures include:

• Pre-job site surveys to identify hazards and access constraints.
• Safe manual handling training and use of lifting equipment where practicable.
• Provision of gloves, eye protection, hi-vis clothing and respiratory protection when needed.
• Segregation of hazardous wastes and safe disposal in line with licensed waste transfer processes.

All control measures will be recorded and monitored for effectiveness; deficiencies will be corrected promptly.

Training and competence are essential. Staff involved in flat clearance and rubbish clearance operations will receive induction training, task-specific instruction and refresher courses. Training records will be maintained and assessed as part of periodic performance reviews. Competence covers safe operating practices, correct use of equipment, manual handling techniques and awareness of infection control when dealing with potential biohazards. Contractors and temporary staff must demonstrate suitable qualifications or undergo company training before commencement.

Incident reporting, investigation and corrective actions form a continuous learning loop. All accidents, near-misses and hazardous conditions must be reported without delay. Investigations aim to identify root causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Outcomes and lessons learned will be communicated to staff and incorporated into training and operational procedures.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as injury, fire, chemical exposure or vehicle collisions. Emergency contacts and arrangements for first aid, evacuation and liaison with emergency services will be made clear in site briefings and displayed in operational vehicles. Regular drills and reviews will ensure readiness.

Monitoring, audit and review processes will measure compliance and performance. Regular site inspections, vehicle checks, PPE audits and management reviews will inform continuous improvement. Records of inspections, incident investigations and training are retained in accordance with statutory retention requirements and company policy. Performance indicators include incident rates, audit scores and corrective action closure times.

The policy recognises the importance of environmental protection during clearance work. Measures to control dust, spill management, correct segregation and lawful disposal contribute to sustainable operations across the waste removal service area. Waste minimisation, reuse and recycling will be encouraged wherever practicable.

Statement of commitment: Management and staff are committed to implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. We will comply with applicable health, safety and environmental legislation and seek to exceed basic requirements where beneficial to people and the environment. This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect operational changes, legislative updates and lessons learned from incidents.

Implementation and review — Responsibility for implementation rests with management supported by supervisors and safety representatives. This policy will be communicated to all staff, made available to contractors and reviewed at least annually or following significant incidents or changes to operations. Records of reviews and amendments will be maintained.

Employee participation — The organisation values employee input on safety matters. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in safety reviews. A proactive safety culture is fundamental to effective risk control within the rubbish clearance and waste collection service area.

Conclusion — This Health and Safety Policy provides a clear framework for safe flat clearance operations and rubbish clearance services. Commitment at all levels, combined with practical risk control measures, training and effective monitoring, will ensure safe, compliant and responsible service delivery across the service area.