House Clearance South Kensington - Health & Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments and procedures for our house clearance and rubbish removal operations. It applies to all employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged in house clearance, junk removal, waste removal and general clearance services delivered across our service area. The purpose of this policy is to protect people, property and the environment by managing risks associated with the collection, transportation and disposal of waste materials and unwanted items. This policy is a living document that complements statutory obligations and good industry practice without attempting to duplicate detailed legislation.

Policy Scope and Objectives

Our objectives are to: maintain a safe working environment, prevent accidents and incidents during clearances, minimise environmental impact from waste removal, and ensure safe conduct of vehicle operations and manual handling. We will do this by conducting risk assessments, providing suitable training, maintaining equipment, and using safe methods for rubbish removal and clearance services. The policy applies to all types of removals including household clearances, estate clearances and one-off bulky waste collections.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

All staff have a duty to work safely. Senior management will ensure that adequate resources are allocated to health and safety measures. Supervisors must implement operational controls and ensure team members are briefed on site-specific hazards prior to starting work. Employees must follow safe systems of work, use provided personal protective equipment (PPE), report hazards, and cooperate with monitoring and training. Contractors engaged for specialist waste removal must provide evidence of competence and insurance before starting work.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Before any clearance job we will undertake a documented risk assessment covering manual handling, sharps and hazardous materials, asbestos suspicion, slips, trips, falls, vehicle movements and public safety. Control measures include:

• Elimination or segregation of hazardous items from general rubbish;
• Safe lifting techniques and mechanical aids where appropriate;
• PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hi-vis clothing and safety footwear;
• Use of sealed, labelled containers for hazardous waste and secure load procedures for transport;
• Maintaining clear pedestrian exclusion zones during bulky waste handling.

These controls are reviewed periodically and updated following incidents or changes in regulation or service practice. Our assessments are proportionate to the scale of each clearance or rubbish company service area project.

Training, Competence and Supervision

We will ensure all staff receive relevant training in manual handling, hazardous waste awareness, vehicle safety and infection control where applicable. Training will be documented and refreshed as necessary. Supervisors are responsible for on-site induction, ensuring staff competence for specific tasks such as handling electrical items, refrigerators, or potential asbestos-containing materials. Where specialist removal is required, only trained and certificated operatives will undertake those tasks.

Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare

The company provides appropriate PPE and expects it to be used at all times when required. PPE is maintained and replaced as needed. Welfare arrangements for operatives include access to drinking water, sanitation, and rest breaks. Clothing and footwear must be appropriate for weather and task risks. Staff should report damaged PPE so that it can be replaced promptly to maintain standards during rubbish removal and clearance work.

Operational Safety: Vehicles, Loads and Public Protection

Vehicles used for collection and clearance are maintained under a documented servicing schedule and inspected before each use. Loads will be securely sheeted or contained to prevent spillages and environmental contamination. Drivers must follow safe driving practices and comply with relevant vehicle weight and traffic regulations. On-site, we will implement traffic management where necessary to protect the public and operatives during bulky waste collections or house clearances in built-up areas.

Accident Reporting, Investigation and Emergency Response

All accidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported and recorded. Investigations will determine root causes and lead to corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures cover first aid, fire response, spill control and suspected hazardous material discovery. Contact with emergency services will be managed by the senior operative on-site and recorded for follow-up.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Performance in health and safety is monitored through site inspections, incident trend analysis and regular management reviews. The policy will be reviewed annually or after significant incidents, changes to operations, or legislative updates. We are committed to continuous improvement, learning from internal audits and industry best practice to enhance our rubbish removal and house clearance services safely.

Legal and Compliance Note: This policy forms part of our compliance framework and is intended to reflect general legal duties without reproducing full legislative detail. Separate technical procedures and risk assessments provide task-specific guidance.

Policy Adoption

This policy is endorsed by senior management and applies to all staff and contractors undertaking house clearance, removal of rubbish and waste management tasks within our service area. Adherence to this policy is mandatory and forms part of each operative’s employment and engagement terms.