Cleaners Edgware Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures followed by Cleaners Edgware to protect the wellbeing of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and the wider public. We are committed to providing safe and healthy working conditions for all cleaning activities carried out in residential, commercial, and communal environments within our service area.

Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective controls. Health and safety is an integral part of our daily operations and decision making.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Cleaners Edgware holds overall responsibility for health and safety performance. This includes ensuring that adequate resources are provided for training, equipment, supervision, and continuous improvement.

Management will regularly review this policy, monitor compliance with health and safety procedures, investigate incidents, and implement corrective and preventive actions where needed. We will keep up to date with relevant legislation and best practice in the cleaning industry to ensure that our working methods remain safe and appropriate.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, contractors, and temporary workers are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions at work.

Staff must follow all safety instructions, attend mandatory training, use equipment correctly, wear personal protective equipment where required, and immediately report hazards, accidents, near misses, and unsafe practices to their supervisor or manager.

No person is permitted to interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare. Disregard for safety procedures may result in disciplinary action.

Risk Assessments and Safe Working Procedures

Before commencing any cleaning work, suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out to identify potential hazards and determine appropriate control measures. These assessments consider slip and trip risks, manual handling, working at height on low steps, use of cleaning chemicals, electrical equipment, and security of premises.

From these assessments we develop safe working procedures for typical tasks such as vacuuming, mopping, window cleaning at low level, deep cleans, end of tenancy cleans, and office cleaning. Employees are briefed on these procedures and must follow them at all times.

Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change in working methods, equipment, or the nature of the premises where we operate.

Chemicals and COSHH

Cleaning chemicals are selected and used in accordance with safety data sheets and applicable control of substances hazardous to health principles. We aim to use products that are effective while minimising risk to people and the environment.

All chemicals are stored, labelled, diluted, and disposed of according to manufacturer instructions. Staff receive training on the correct use of chemicals, including ventilation requirements, safe handling, and emergency measures in case of spills or contact with skin or eyes.

Only authorised products are permitted for use by our cleaners. Decanting into unlabelled containers is strictly prohibited.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment is provided, such as gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and masks for specific tasks.

Employees must use the protective equipment issued to them as instructed and must report any defects or loss immediately. Replacement of damaged or worn items is arranged without delay.

Manual Handling and Equipment Safety

We take care to reduce the need for manual handling where possible by using trolleys, lightweight tools, and sensible work organisation. When lifting or moving equipment or waste, staff must follow safe techniques taught during training to avoid strain and injury.

All electrical equipment such as vacuums, floor machines, and carpet cleaners is kept in good condition, inspected regularly, and removed from service if any defect is suspected. Staff are not permitted to carry out unauthorised repairs.

Cables are routed safely to prevent trips, and plug sockets are used correctly. Equipment is switched off and unplugged when not in use.

Training, Supervision, and Competence

Cleaners Edgware provides induction and ongoing training for all employees, appropriate to their roles and level of responsibility. This includes safe use of chemicals and equipment, risk awareness, emergency procedures, safe lone working, and client care.

Supervisors carry out regular checks to ensure that procedures are being followed and that staff remain competent and confident in their duties. Additional training or refresher sessions are arranged whenever necessary.

Protection of Clients and the Public

We recognise our duty to safeguard clients, their families, employees, and visitors while we are working on their premises. Cleaning tasks are planned to minimise disruption, noise, and obstruction to walkways.

Warning signs are displayed where floors may be wet or where equipment is in use. Care is taken to keep work areas tidy and to avoid leaving tools or materials where they may cause trips or injuries.

Our staff respect client property and privacy at all times and follow any site-specific safety instructions or house rules provided by the client, provided these do not conflict with legal obligations.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately and recorded. Where appropriate, investigations are conducted to identify root causes and to implement improved controls.

First aid arrangements are in place, and staff know how to obtain assistance in the event of injury, fire, gas leak, or other emergencies at the client site. Where premises-specific procedures exist, such as evacuation routes or alarm points, these are followed strictly.

Monitoring and Policy Review

We monitor our health and safety performance through regular inspections, employee feedback, and incident data. Lessons learned are used to update our risk assessments, working methods, and staff training.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at least annually, and sooner if there are significant changes to legislation, our operations, or identified risks. The updated policy is communicated to all employees and made available to clients upon request.

By working together, management, employees, and clients can ensure that the cleaning services provided by Cleaners Edgware are delivered in a safe, professional, and responsible manner.