Catford Cleaner Health and Safety Policy

Catford Cleaner is committed to providing cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, clients and members of the public. This policy sets out how we manage health and safety across all cleaning activities, including domestic, commercial and end of tenancy work.

Policy Statement

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health arising from our operations. We will identify hazards, assess risks and implement proportionate control measures for all cleaning tasks. Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning, supervision and delivery of every service.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and provides the resources necessary to implement this policy. All employees and contractors are required to cooperate with this policy and to work safely at all times.

Legal Responsibilities

Catford Cleaner will comply with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations and approved codes of practice relevant to cleaning activities. We will monitor changes in legislation and industry guidance, and update our procedures and training accordingly.

Where we work on client premises, we will cooperate with the client to align our procedures with any site-specific health and safety rules. If our staff identify unsafe conditions, they are authorised to stop work and report the issue for review before continuing.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining suitable health and safety arrangements, including risk assessments, safe systems of work, training programmes, accident reporting and provision of equipment. Supervisors, where appointed, are responsible for implementing procedures on site and ensuring that staff follow them.

Employees and contractors must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must use provided equipment correctly, follow instructions and report hazards, accidents, incidents and near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct and maintain risk assessments for common cleaning tasks, such as floor cleaning, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning within safe reach, waste handling and the use of cleaning chemicals and equipment. Additional site-specific assessments are carried out where necessary.

Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and communicated to all relevant staff. They include clear instructions on the selection and use of personal protective equipment, safe manual handling methods, working at height restrictions and procedures for working in occupied premises.

Use of Chemicals and Cleaning Products

Chemicals and cleaning products are selected and used with regard to both effectiveness and safety. We obtain and follow safety data sheets for all hazardous substances and carry out specific assessments to control exposure.

Staff are trained to dilute and use chemicals according to manufacturer instructions, to store products securely, to avoid mixing incompatible substances and to ensure good ventilation where required. Skin protection and eye protection are provided where there is a risk of contact or splashing.

Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment and Maintenance

Catford Cleaner supplies equipment that is suitable for its intended task and maintained in safe working order. This includes vacuum cleaners, floor machines, extension tools and any other mechanical or electrical equipment used during cleaning.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, aprons, non-slip footwear and eye protection, is provided based on risk assessments. Staff are instructed in its correct use, limitations and maintenance. Defective equipment or protective items must be reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Many cleaning tasks involve manual handling of equipment, waste and materials. We seek to reduce manual handling risks by choosing lightweight tools, using trolleys where practical and arranging work patterns that minimise repetitive or awkward movements.

Staff receive guidance on safe lifting techniques and posture, and are encouraged to request assistance when handling bulky or heavy items. Work is organised to avoid unnecessary carrying up and down stairs and to prevent overreaching when cleaning at height.

Working at Height and Slips, Trips and Falls

Working at height is restricted to tasks that can be carried out safely using appropriate access equipment such as stable step ladders or extension poles, and only where authorised by management. Staff are not permitted to improvise with furniture, unsuitable ladders or unsafe access methods.

We recognise that slips, trips and falls are a significant risk in cleaning, especially when floors are wet. Where possible, work is scheduled to reduce foot traffic on freshly cleaned floors. Wet floor signs are used as required, and spillages are cleaned promptly. Cables, tools and equipment are positioned to avoid creating tripping hazards.

Training, Information and Supervision

All staff receive induction training covering general health and safety, emergency arrangements, safe use of chemicals and equipment, personal protective equipment and incident reporting. Task-specific training is provided before staff undertake specialised work, such as machine floor cleaning or carpet cleaning.

We provide ongoing refresher training and toolbox talks to reinforce good practices and address any new risks. Supervision is proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of the worker. No person will be asked to perform work for which they have not been adequately trained and instructed.

Incident Reporting, Investigation and First Aid

All accidents, injuries, work-related ill health, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to management. We investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

First aid arrangements are in place appropriate to the size and nature of our operations. Staff working on client premises will familiarise themselves with the client’s emergency and first aid procedures and cooperate with any site-specific requirements.

Consultation, Communication and Review

We encourage staff to raise health and safety concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about risk control. Information on hazards, procedures and changes to working methods is communicated clearly to those affected.

This policy is reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur in our activities, legislation or best practice. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and contractors to ensure continuing relevance, effectiveness and alignment with our commitment to safe cleaning operations.