Cleaners Putney Health and Safety Policy

Cleaners Putney is committed to providing high quality cleaning services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our standards, responsibilities and working practices to ensure that all cleaning work is carried out safely and in full compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Policy Statement

Our aim is to prevent accidents, work-related ill health and unsafe conditions in all locations where we provide cleaning services. We recognise that effective health and safety management is an integral part of the successful operation of our business and is the shared responsibility of management, employees and clients.

We will continually review and improve our procedures to maintain a safe working environment, protect property and minimise any risks arising from cleaning activities in residential and commercial premises.

Management Responsibilities

Company management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:

Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for all key cleaning tasks and environments.

Providing suitable and sufficient training, information and instructions to all employees.

Supplying appropriate personal protective equipment and ensuring it is used correctly.

Ensuring that cleaning products, tools and machinery are safe, well maintained and used in accordance with manufacturer guidance.

Investigating incidents, near misses and hazards and taking prompt corrective action.

Reviewing this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, best practice and company operations.

Employee Responsibilities

Every cleaner has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow all training, safe systems of work and site rules provided by Cleaners Putney and by the client where relevant.

Use equipment, cleaning chemicals and personal protective equipment only as instructed.

Immediately report hazards, defects, spillages, accidents or near misses to their supervisor.

Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that could compromise safety.

Never work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair judgement or performance.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

Before starting work at a new site or undertaking a new type of task, a risk assessment will be carried out to identify potential hazards and evaluate the level of risk. Based on these assessments, safe working procedures are established and communicated to all relevant staff.

Typical hazards considered include slips and trips, manual handling, use of chemicals, working at height for certain cleaning tasks, electrical safety and security of premises. Control measures are put in place to manage or eliminate these risks, and are regularly reviewed.

Chemical Safety and COSHH

Cleaners Putney uses recognised cleaning products that are suitable for domestic and commercial environments. All chemicals are assessed and handled in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.

Key principles include:

Using the least hazardous effective products wherever possible.

Ensuring all containers are clearly labelled and stored securely when not in use.

Following manufacturer instructions for dilution, application and disposal.

Providing and enforcing the use of appropriate gloves, masks or eye protection where needed.

Ensuring that chemicals are kept away from children, pets, food preparation areas and open flames.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Many cleaning tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling equipment and supplies. To minimise the risk of injury, staff receive training in safe manual handling techniques and are encouraged to:

Avoid lifting heavy loads alone where a mechanical aid or team lift is available.

Store heavier items at waist height where possible.

Use trolleys and other handling aids provided.

Adopt good posture and take short breaks when performing repetitive tasks.

Use of Equipment and Machinery

All equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines and other powered tools, is inspected regularly and maintained in a safe condition. Employees must not use any equipment for which they have not been trained and authorised.

Any defects, unusual noises, damaged cables or faulty plugs must be reported immediately and the equipment taken out of service until repaired or replaced. Staff are instructed never to interfere with safety guards or modify equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is provided where necessary to control risks that cannot be eliminated by other means. This may include gloves, masks, eye protection, aprons or non slip footwear, depending on the task and environment.

Employees must use the protective equipment supplied, keep it in good condition, store it correctly and report any loss or damage. Replacement items will be provided promptly when required.

Slips, Trips and Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is essential to prevent slips and trips in all areas where we work. Our staff are trained to:

Place warning signs around wet floors during and after mopping.

Clean up spillages immediately and safely.

Keep walkways, stairs and exits clear of equipment, cables and waste.

Use suitable cleaning methods for the type of flooring to avoid unnecessary slipperiness.

Working in Client Premises

We recognise that our teams often work in occupied homes, offices and other premises. We take particular care to respect client property and maintain a safe environment for occupants throughout our work.

Cleaners Putney staff will:

Follow any specific on site safety rules and access procedures agreed with the client.

Secure equipment and materials to prevent unauthorised access, especially by children.

Ensure doors, windows and alarms are left in the agreed state on completion.

Work considerately to minimise disruption and noise where reasonably practicable.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new employees receive induction training that covers the content of this policy, site specific risks, emergency arrangements and safe use of equipment and chemicals. Refresher training is provided when procedures change or when additional support is required.

Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that safety standards are maintained and that any concerns are addressed quickly. Safety information, guidance and updates are communicated regularly to all staff.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting

Emergency procedures, including fire evacuation and first aid arrangements, are explained to staff before work begins at any new site. In the event of an accident, injury, near miss or dangerous occurrence, the details must be reported immediately to a supervisor so that the circumstances can be investigated and lessons learned.

Where required, incidents will be recorded and reported to the relevant authorities. Appropriate corrective and preventive measures will be implemented to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Review of Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, relevant and aligned with current legislation and industry guidance for cleaning services. Cleaners Putney is dedicated to continual improvement in all aspects of health and safety and encourages feedback from employees and clients to support this goal.