Haringey Cleaner Health and Safety Policy

Haringey Cleaner is committed to providing professional cleaning services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all cleaning activities and service locations.

We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and industry guidance. We aim to prevent injury and ill health, promote safe working practices and continually improve our health and safety performance.

Policy Objectives

Our key health and safety objectives are to:

Identify, assess and control risks arising from cleaning activities in all client premises.

Provide and maintain safe working environments, safe equipment and safe systems of work.

Ensure all staff are trained, competent and adequately supervised for the tasks they perform.

Use cleaning products safely and in accordance with manufacturer instructions and legal requirements.

Prevent accidents, work related ill health, and damage to property or the environment.

Consult with workers on health and safety matters and encourage reporting of hazards and near misses.

Review our health and safety arrangements regularly and make improvements where necessary.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who ensure that adequate resources, information and training are provided. Management is responsible for setting and reviewing health and safety standards and making sure this policy is implemented in day to day operations.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices on site, communicating safe systems of work, checking that staff understand their duties, and addressing any unsafe behaviour or conditions immediately.

All employees, including temporary and subcontracted workers, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and report hazards, accidents and incidents without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments are carried out for all significant cleaning tasks and typical environments in which we operate, including offices, communal areas, residential blocks and commercial premises. The findings of these assessments are used to develop safe systems of work that are communicated to staff.

Before starting work at a new site, we assess specific risks such as access, client equipment, electrical hazards, floor surfaces, manual handling requirements, sharps, waste disposal and any vulnerable persons present. Where required, site specific instructions are provided and updated as conditions change.

Chemical Safety and COSHH

Cleaning chemicals are selected and used in accordance with applicable regulations and manufacturer safety data sheets. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessments are undertaken for all hazardous substances used in our work.

We ensure chemicals are correctly labelled, stored securely and never decanted into unmarked containers. Staff receive training on dilution, application, ventilation, contact times, and emergency actions in case of spills or exposure. Only approved products supplied or authorised by Haringey Cleaner may be used during work.

Personal Protective Equipment

Suitable personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. This may include gloves, eye protection, masks, aprons or safety footwear, depending on the task and risk assessment.

Staff are required to use personal protective equipment as instructed, keep it in good condition and report any defects so that items can be replaced promptly.

Manual Handling and Equipment Safety

We aim to minimise manual handling by using appropriate tools, trolleys and equipment wherever possible. Staff receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, moving equipment, emptying waste, and avoiding overreaching or carrying excessive loads.

All electrical and mechanical cleaning equipment, including vacuums, scrubbers and polishers, is maintained in safe working order. Pre use checks are carried out and defective equipment is taken out of service immediately until repaired or replaced.

Workplace Conditions and Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is essential to safe cleaning operations. Staff are instructed to keep work areas tidy, avoid creating trip hazards with cables or equipment, use warning signs on wet floors, and cordon off areas where necessary to protect building users.

Where cleaning is carried out in occupied premises, staff must be especially careful to safeguard clients, residents and visitors, working considerately and communicating where access is temporarily restricted.

Training, Information and Supervision

All new staff receive induction training covering general health and safety, safe use of cleaning products and equipment, emergency procedures and reporting arrangements. Additional task specific training is provided as needed, for example for floor care, high level cleaning or use of specialist machinery.

Ongoing refresher training is delivered to reinforce good practice and reflect any changes in legislation, equipment or methods. Supervisors monitor performance on site and provide guidance and support to ensure work is completed safely and to required standards.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and work related health concerns must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Records are kept and incidents are investigated to identify causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Staff are informed of relevant emergency procedures at each site, including fire evacuation routes, assembly points and any specific client emergency requirements. Employees must cooperate fully with these procedures and participate in any drills where applicable.

Consultation and Policy Review

We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise suggestions, concerns or observations about health and safety with their supervisor or management at any time.

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to our operations, legislation or industry best practice. Updates are communicated to all staff to ensure continued awareness and compliance.