Health & Safety Policy — House Clearance Rotherhithe

Introduction: This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and responsibilities for all team members and contractors engaged in house clearance and rubbish removal Rotherhithe activities. The policy applies to every site where our clearance teams operate, including domestic properties, flats, shared houses and associated storage or transfer locations. Our objective is to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, clients, members of the public and anyone affected by our house clearance service in Rotherhithe and surrounding service areas.

We recognise that safe, compliant operations reduce risk and improve efficiency. All staff must follow safe systems of work, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards or near-misses without delay. The policy underpins operational procedures for waste handling, bulky item removal, hazardous material segregation and vehicle loading for rubbish collection in the area.

Scope: This document covers risk management for pre-clearance surveys, manual handling, use of lifting aids and powered equipment, traffic and vehicle safety, waste classification, storage and transportation, and environmental controls. It also explains training, incident reporting, first aid provisions and emergency procedures that govern our house clearance operations across the service area.

Responsibilities: Management retains overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this policy. Supervisors are required to ensure that daily briefings are carried out and that site-specific risk assessments are completed before any clearance work begins. Employees and subcontractors must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, cooperate with instructions, and use provided safety equipment. Everyone has the right to stop unsafe work and request further guidance.

Risk assessment and method statements: Before starting any job, a written or documented risk assessment must identify hazards such as sharp objects, asbestos-containing materials, biological contamination and unstable structures. Control measures should be recorded in method statements and communicated to the team. For higher risk items a permit-to-work approach or specialist contractor referral is mandated to ensure legal and safe disposal.

Training and competence: All operatives will receive induction training covering manual handling techniques, PPE use, traffic management during vehicle loading, safe operation of handling equipment and basic hazardous waste awareness. Refresher training is scheduled regularly and records are maintained. Only trained staff should use mechanical aids, tail lifts and similar equipment during a clearance job.

Operational controls: Work planning must consider access and egress, the condition of stairs and flooring, and the needs of vulnerable or elderly clients. A stability check for large furniture or piled items is required before moving. Where asbestos or suspect hazardous materials are identified, work will cease and specialist advice sought. Waste segregation policies ensure recyclables, hazardous items and general waste are separated and transported appropriately in line with environmental safety expectations.

Safe systems and PPE

Teams must use appropriate PPE including gloves, safety boots, eye protection and hi-vis clothing depending on task risk. Manual handling is controlled through team lifts, mechanical aids and use of push/pull techniques to reduce strain. Vehicle and site-specific controls include wheel-chocks, safe stacking protocols and clear walkways to prevent slips, trips and falls during rubbish removal operations.

Emergency and incident management: Incidents are to be reported immediately and recorded in the company incident log. First aid kits are available in vehicles and at main depots; trained first-aiders will be identified on every job. For serious incidents, emergency services will be contacted and the area secured. A formal investigation will identify root causes and corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.

Monitoring and review: Performance is monitored through site checks, toolbox talks, and periodic audits. Key performance indicators include accident frequency, near-miss reports and compliance with waste handling procedures. Feedback from monitoring informs continuous improvement and a formal policy review will occur annually or after any significant change in operations or legislation affecting the rubbish collection or house clearance service area.

Controls and good practice checklist:

• Pre-job risk assessment and written method statement.
• Use of correct PPE and mechanical aids.
• Proper segregation and labelling of hazardous items.
• Vehicle loading controls and safe stacking procedures.
• Prompt incident reporting and follow-up investigations.

Commitment: Management and staff commit to implementing this health and safety policy as part of our duty to run a responsible, professional house clearance and rubbish removal operation. Continual training, risk-aware culture and adherence to safe systems of work will protect people, the environment and the reputation of the service area. This policy is a living document and will be updated to reflect operational changes, legislated requirements and lessons learned from practical experience.