Health And Safety Policy

Cleaner Highbury Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Cleaner Highbury manages and promotes safe working practices across all cleaning services. Our aim is to protect employees, clients, visitors and members of the public from risks arising from our cleaning operations while delivering consistent, high quality work.

Our Health and Safety Responsibilities

Cleaner Highbury is committed to providing and maintaining safe working conditions, equipment and systems of work. Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and ensures that appropriate arrangements, resources and supervision are in place to support this policy.

Every employee, contractor and representative of Cleaner Highbury has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are expected to follow training and instructions, use equipment correctly and report hazards, incidents and near misses promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct suitable and proportionate risk assessments for all routine and non-routine cleaning tasks carried out in customer premises, common areas, offices and other environments within our service area. These assessments identify significant hazards, such as slips and trips, manual handling injuries, contact with hazardous substances, electrical risks and work at height.

Based on these assessments, we implement control measures and safe systems of work. These may include selecting safer products, using appropriate tools and equipment, defining restricted areas, establishing clear cleaning schedules and providing task specific instructions. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes to work processes, equipment or locations.

Training, Information and Supervision

Cleaner Highbury provides health and safety induction training for all new employees before they begin work on site. Additional training is provided for specific tasks, such as using machinery, handling chemicals, working in confined or high risk areas and safe lone working practices.

We ensure that staff receive clear information on site rules, emergency procedures, accident reporting, use of personal protective equipment and good housekeeping. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide ongoing guidance, refresher training and support to maintain safe standards at all times.

Cleaning Chemicals and Hazardous Substances

We manage cleaning chemicals and other hazardous substances in line with safety data sheets and relevant control requirements. Only approved products are used, and they are stored, handled, diluted and disposed of safely and responsibly.

Where necessary, task specific assessments are completed to determine appropriate protective measures, such as gloves, eye protection, ventilation and controlled application methods. Staff are trained to recognise product hazards, read labels, follow instructions and deal with spills safely.

Personal Protective Equipment

Cleaner Highbury provides suitable personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety footwear, eye protection, high visibility clothing and masks, where risk assessment shows that it is required. Employees are responsible for wearing PPE correctly, looking after it and reporting any loss or damage.

PPE is always regarded as a last line of defence and is used in combination with other control measures such as safe working methods, equipment guards, signage and good housekeeping standards.

Equipment, Tools and Work Environment

We ensure that all equipment and tools supplied by Cleaner Highbury are suitable for their intended use, properly maintained and used only by competent staff. This includes vacuum cleaners, floor machines, mops, ladders and specialist cleaning equipment.

Regular inspections and maintenance checks are carried out, and any defects are reported immediately and taken out of use until repaired or replaced. Cables and equipment are arranged to minimise tripping hazards, and wet floor signs and barriers are used to protect building users during cleaning activities.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Manual handling tasks, such as moving equipment, waste and supplies, are assessed to reduce the risk of strain and injury. Where possible, we use trolleys, lifting aids and efficient work methods to minimise heavy lifting and awkward postures.

Employees receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, load limits and team lifting. Work patterns are organised to prevent excessive repetition, and reasonable adjustments may be considered for staff with specific needs.

Lone Working and Out of Hours Cleaning

Many cleaning operations take place outside normal business hours or involve lone working. Cleaner Highbury puts in place arrangements to ensure that staff working alone or in quiet premises remain safe. These may include check in procedures, defined contact arrangements, restricted access areas and clear emergency instructions.

Staff are instructed not to take unnecessary risks, not to let unauthorised persons into locked premises and to report any concerns about security or personal safety without delay.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported promptly to a supervisor or manager. We keep records of incidents and investigate them to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employees are briefed on emergency arrangements relevant to the premises in which they are working, including fire evacuation routes, assembly points and procedures for raising the alarm. First aid arrangements are explained during induction or site specific briefings.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Cleaner Highbury encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise suggestions, concerns or ideas for improving safety through their supervisor or management. We consult staff on significant changes to working methods and consider their feedback in planning and decision making.

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the nature and scale of our cleaning operations. Revisions are communicated to all employees, and updated procedures are implemented as required to support a safe, healthy and professional cleaning service.