Health And Safety Policy
Health and Safety Policy for Cleaners Finsbury Park
Cleaners Finsbury Park is committed to providing high quality cleaning services while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with cleaning activities in residential and commercial properties throughout our service area.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We recognise our duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of everyone who may be affected by our operations. We aim to prevent accidents, work-related ill health and unsafe conditions by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing practical control measures.
Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and will ensure that appropriate resources, training and supervision are provided so that all cleaning tasks are carried out safely and professionally.
Responsibilities
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Everyone working with or for Cleaners Finsbury Park has a role to play in maintaining safe standards and following agreed procedures.
Management Responsibilities
Management will:
Plan, implement and review health and safety arrangements for all cleaning activities. Provide information, instruction and training to ensure staff are competent to carry out their work safely. Supply and maintain suitable equipment and personal protective equipment. Ensure that cleaning products are assessed and used correctly. Encourage staff to report hazards, near misses, incidents and health concerns without delay. Review this policy regularly and update it in line with legislation, guidance and best practice.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided. Use personal protective equipment correctly and look after it. Report any accident, incident, near miss, hazard or defective equipment immediately. Avoid taking shortcuts that could compromise safety or quality of service.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before commencing work at any property, a suitable and proportionate assessment of risks associated with the cleaning tasks and environment will be carried out. This may include consideration of slips and trips, manual handling, work at height such as step ladders, use of machinery such as vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers, exposure to cleaning chemicals, electrical safety, lone working and security.
Where risks are identified, appropriate control measures and safe systems of work will be implemented. These may include using non-slip footwear, safe lifting techniques, stable access equipment, cord management, correct product dilutions, and clear communication with clients regarding any specific hazards on their premises.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
Cleaning products are selected and used with careful regard to safety and environmental impact. All substances will be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety guidance. Where applicable, assessments will be completed to identify any health risks associated with cleaning agents.
Employees will be trained to understand product labels and hazard symbols, follow correct dilution rates, never mix incompatible products, use appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection where required, and store chemicals safely and securely when on client premises. Spillages will be cleaned promptly and safely, and products will never be decanted into unlabelled containers.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be eliminated entirely, suitable personal protective equipment will be provided. This may include protective gloves, non-slip footwear, eye protection, aprons or face coverings where appropriate to the task.
Employees must use the equipment as instructed, keep it clean and in good condition, and report any loss or damage so it can be replaced promptly.
Manual Handling
Many cleaning tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads. To reduce the risk of injury, loads will be assessed before moving, equipment such as trolleys or long-handled tools will be used where appropriate, and staff will be trained in safe manual handling techniques, including good posture and weight limits.
Heavy items such as furniture or large waste bags will not be moved without suitable assistance or equipment. If a load cannot be moved safely, the task will be reconsidered and discussed with the client where necessary.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Floors are a key focus of our work and a potential source of accidents. To minimise risk, warning signs will be used when floors are wet or being treated. Work areas will be kept tidy and free from trailing leads and obstructions as far as reasonably practicable. Cleaners will wear suitable footwear to reduce slip risk.
Where step ladders or small access equipment are needed for high-level dusting or similar tasks, they will be checked for condition, set up on stable, level surfaces, and used in line with training and safe practice.
Equipment Safety
All cleaning equipment used by Cleaners Finsbury Park will be maintained in safe working order. Equipment will be checked regularly, and any defects reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced. Staff will only use equipment they have been trained to operate.
Electrical equipment will be visually checked before use, used with care to avoid damage to cables, and disconnected safely after use.
Lone Working and Security
Cleaners often work alone or outside normal working hours. Procedures are in place to help protect staff, including agreed check-in arrangements where appropriate, clear instructions on securing client premises, and guidance on what to do if staff feel unsafe or encounter unexpected visitors.
Lone workers must remain aware of their surroundings, avoid taking unnecessary risks, and report any security concerns to management.
Training, Information and Supervision
All new staff receive an introduction to our health and safety arrangements and specific training on safe cleaning methods, correct use of products, emergency procedures and reporting requirements. Ongoing refresher training is provided as needed.
Supervision and periodic site visits help ensure that safety standards are maintained, and that staff feel confident and supported in carrying out their duties.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses, no matter how minor, must be reported promptly so they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve future practice. Where a client has specific emergency procedures in place, such as fire or evacuation arrangements, our staff will follow these instructions while on the premises.
First aid arrangements will be appropriate to the scale and nature of our activities, and staff will be informed of how to access assistance if needed.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy reflects the commitment of Cleaners Finsbury Park to protect people and property while delivering reliable cleaning services throughout our service area. The policy and associated procedures will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in operations, legislation or guidance, and to incorporate learning from experience and staff feedback.