Cleaners Watford Health and Safety Policy

Cleaners Watford is committed to providing cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, clients and members of the public. We recognise that effective health and safety management is an integral part of delivering reliable, high-quality cleaning across homes and workplaces.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and property damage arising from our cleaning activities. We will identify, assess and control risks associated with our work and continually review our systems to improve safety performance.

Management will provide appropriate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that work is carried out safely and in compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Cleaners Watford has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that robust health and safety arrangements are in place. Management will:

Regularly review risk assessments for cleaning tasks and locations, ensuring that adequate control measures are implemented and maintained.

Provide suitable cleaning equipment, products and personal protective equipment that are fit for purpose and in good condition.

Ensure staff are trained and competent to perform their duties safely, including the use of machinery, chemicals and access equipment.

Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Engage with staff and clients on health and safety matters, encouraging feedback and reporting of hazards.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working on behalf of Cleaners Watford has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:

Follow site rules, company procedures and training instructions at all times when carrying out cleaning tasks.

Use equipment, materials and personal protective equipment properly and report any defects immediately to a supervisor.

Refrain from any act or omission that could endanger themselves, colleagues, clients or the public.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our cleaning activities, taking into account the specific environment and tasks to be completed. From these assessments we establish safe systems of work and method statements that are communicated to relevant staff.

Risk assessments will consider, among other factors, slip and trip hazards, working at height, manual handling, lone working, use of chemicals, electrical equipment and interaction with building users. Control measures will be selected to eliminate or reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Chemical Safety and COSHH

Cleaners Watford uses cleaning chemicals in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety legislation governing hazardous substances. We obtain and review safety data for all products and ensure that suitable control measures are in place.

Where required, we provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks or eye protection. Staff receive training on safe storage, handling, dilution, application and disposal of cleaning chemicals, and on the importance of correct labelling and secure storage.

Equipment, Machinery and Electrical Safety

All cleaning equipment and machinery, including vacuums, floor machines, pressure washers and other powered tools, are maintained in a safe condition. Regular inspections and servicing are arranged in line with manufacturer recommendations.

Staff are trained to use equipment correctly, to carry out simple pre-use checks and to isolate and report faulty equipment. Electrical leads will be routed safely to avoid trip hazards and equipment will not be used if there is visible damage or a suspected fault.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Manual handling tasks, such as moving cleaning equipment or waste bags, are assessed to minimise the risk of strain and musculoskeletal injury. Staff are instructed in safe lifting techniques, the use of trolleys or other aids and the importance of not exceeding their individual capability.

Where practicable, work methods and equipment are selected to reduce repetitive movements and awkward postures, supporting the long-term health of our cleaning teams.

Working Environment and Site Safety

When providing cleaning services in client premises, we cooperate with building managers and occupants to maintain a safe working environment. This includes coordinating access, fire safety arrangements, emergency procedures and any site-specific rules.

We maintain good housekeeping during cleaning operations, ensuring that equipment, materials and cables are positioned to minimise slips, trips and falls, and that work areas are left safe and tidy at the end of each shift.

Training, Supervision and Communication

Health and safety training is provided as part of induction and refreshed as needed. Training covers company procedures, use of cleaning products and equipment, hazard awareness and emergency arrangements.

Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure compliance with this policy and provide ongoing guidance and support. Health and safety information is communicated clearly, and staff are encouraged to raise concerns and suggest improvements.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to a supervisor. Records are kept and reviewed to identify trends and areas for improvement. Where necessary, additional control measures, training or equipment will be introduced.

Staff are made aware of emergency procedures for the premises in which they are working, including fire evacuation routes, assembly points and how to summon assistance in the event of an emergency.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Cleaners Watford regularly monitors compliance with this Health and Safety Policy through inspections, audits and performance reviews. We evaluate the effectiveness of our arrangements and make changes where improvements are identified.

This policy will be reviewed periodically, and also following any significant change in our operations or relevant legislation, to ensure it remains current and effective in protecting people and property while we deliver cleaning services.