House Clearance Archway - Health & Safety Policy

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the safety framework for our house clearance Archway operations. It is intended to protect employees, contractors, clients and members of the public during domestic and commercial clearances, rubbish removal runs and waste clearance activities. The policy emphasises compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and best practice for a professional rubbish company service area, including risk assessment, training, safe systems of work and incident reporting.

Scope and responsibilities

The policy applies to all staff, temporary workers and authorised subcontractors involved in household clearances, loft and cellar clear-outs, and end-of-tenancy rubbish removal. Management has overall responsibility for ensuring safe working practices are implemented and maintained. Employees have a duty to follow instructions, use provided PPE, and report hazards. Strong lines of responsibility ensure that Archway house clearance tasks are carried out safely and consistently.

Risk assessment and method statements

Before any site activity the appointed supervisor will complete a site-specific risk assessment and produce a written method statement. These assessments will consider manual handling risks, slips, trips and falls, hazardous waste such as sharps or chemical containers, fire risks and structural hazards. Control measures include use of mechanical aids, two-person lifting for bulky items, clear access routes and segregation of recyclable materials. Where asbestos or electronic waste is suspected, operations will be paused until competent advice is obtained.

Training and competency are core elements of our approach to safe house clearances. All operatives involved in a house clearance in Archway will receive induction training and role-specific instruction on manual handling, safe use of tools, and precautions for dealing with hazardous substances. Regular refresher training and toolbox talks will be provided. Certificates and training records will be maintained to demonstrate competence and continuous improvement across our waste removal teams.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear Operatives will be provided with appropriate PPE, including high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for handling mixed waste, steel-toe boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or fumes are likely. Use of PPE is mandatory on every job. Supervisors will ensure PPE is inspected, cleaned and replaced as necessary. Suitable clothing and footwear policies reduce injury from sharp objects and heavy items during a house clearance service.

Vehicles and plant used for rubbish removal Archway operations must be regularly inspected and maintained. Drivers are required to carry out pre-shift checks and ensure loads are correctly secured to prevent shifting during transit. The company will ensure safe loading and unloading procedures, and that vehicle operators are trained for the specific equipment they use. Maintenance logs, vehicle inspection reports and operator licences will be retained as part of our compliance records.

Safe handling and segregation of waste is essential to reduce environmental and health risks. Staff will separate general household waste, recyclable items, bulky furniture and hazardous materials at source. Chemical containers, batteries, asbestos-containing materials and medical waste will be treated as controlled waste and handled only by trained personnel following statutory guidance. The policy supports recycling and responsible disposal routes to minimise landfill and protect community health.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting Emergency plans will be in place for fire, medical emergencies and major spills. First aid equipment and trained first aiders will be available at sites and on vehicles where practicable. All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately, investigated and recorded. Lessons learned will be used to update risk assessments and prevent recurrence. Insurance and regulatory reporting requirements will be followed for significant incidents.

Contractor management and permits Subcontractors used for specialist clearance, hazardous waste removal or skip services must demonstrate suitable competence and insurance. A permit-to-work system will be used for high-risk activities. Contractors must comply with this Health & Safety policy and provide evidence of relevant qualifications, risk assessments and method statements before mobilisation. Regular monitoring and audit ensure third-party compliance.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement The policy will be reviewed annually or after any significant change to operations or following an incident. Performance will be monitored through inspections, audits and routine performance metrics such as incident rates, near-miss reports and completion of training. Senior management will review findings and commit to actions that strengthen safety controls across all house clearance and waste collection services.

Records including risk assessments, training logs, vehicle checks and incident reports will be retained for appropriate periods to demonstrate compliance. This documentation supports regulatory obligations and provides an audit trail for internal and external review. The company will engage with regulators and industry bodies to stay current with legislative updates affecting domestic clearance and rubbish collection services.

Policy adoption This Health & Safety policy represents the minimum standard for our house clearance operations. It is endorsed by senior management and applies to every operative, subcontractor and manager involved in the provision of house clearance, waste removal and junk collection services in the service area. Commitment to these principles helps protect health, preserve safety and deliver a professional and compliant clearing service for clients and the community.