Flat Clearance Lewisham Health & Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments and practical arrangements for Flat Clearance Lewisham in relation to all clearance, rubbish removal and waste clearance work we undertake. Our aim is to protect staff, contractors, clients and members of the public by maintaining safe working methods across our rubbish removal service area. The policy applies to routine flat clearances, bulky waste collection and any ancillary services delivered by the company.

Our policy is founded on risk assessment, training, supervision and continual improvement. We will ensure that safety considerations accompany every decision, from the initial booking through to the removal and lawful disposal of items. The company recognises its duty to manage hazards associated with manual handling, vehicle operations, hazardous materials and working at height during waste clearance operations.

This document outlines responsibilities, safe systems of work, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, emergency procedures and environmental precautions. It also covers our approach to safe rubbish collection across the service area and how we manage specific risks such as sharps, chemical containers and electrical items found during flat clearance tasks.

Responsibilities and Leadership

Senior management will lead on health and safety by allocating resources, ensuring risk assessments are current and reviewing this policy regularly. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure that operatives follow safe working practices, have necessary PPE and are briefed on hazards before each job. Every worker or contractor engaged in our rubbish clearance activities is responsible for working safely, reporting hazards and cooperating with management to reduce risk.

Staff training is a core element: induction, refresher sessions and task-specific instruction are provided so team members can identify hazards associated with bulky waste removal, furniture lifting, stairway maneuvers and vehicle loading. Training records are maintained and evaluated to ensure competence across the rubbish company service area.

We maintain a clear chain of communication for incident reporting, near-miss recording and safety concerns. All incidents are investigated, lessons are recorded and safe systems of work are updated. Corrective actions are followed up to prevent recurrence and to support a culture of continuous safety improvement.

Risk Control Measures and Safe Working Procedures

Risk assessments are conducted for all clearance activities and reviewed whenever a significant change occurs. Typical control measures include the use of mechanical aids for lifting, two-person manual handling for awkward loads, vehicle stability checks and secure load restraint. We insist on appropriate PPE such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe footwear and eye protection where necessary.

Key procedural elements include:

• Pre-job site checks and clearance planning;
• Safe manual handling techniques and use of lifting aids;
• Segregation and correct containment of recyclable and non-recyclable waste;
• Special handling for hazardous materials, sharps and electrical goods;
• Vehicle loading protocols to prevent shifting loads and hazards on transit.

The procedures are designed to reflect the realities of working in multi-occupancy buildings and varied properties within our rubbish clearance service area while remaining adaptable to individual site conditions.

Environmental and Waste Management

We commit to responsible disposal and recycling wherever possible. Waste is assessed on arrival and sorted to maximise reuse and recycling. Hazardous waste is segregated and managed in line with accepted waste handling practices. Our environmental controls reduce the risk of contamination, odours and pest attraction during and after clearance activities.

Emergency Preparedness and First Aid: teams are instructed in basic first aid and emergency response. Adequate first aid provisions are maintained, and emergency procedures are displayed and practiced. In the event of an accident, immediate first aid is delivered, incidents are reported and follow-up reviews are carried out to improve safety systems.

Monitoring, review and compliance are carried out through regular safety inspections, toolbox talks and audits of work carried out across the rubbish collection service area. Equipment maintenance schedules are implemented for vehicles, lifting aids and protective equipment. Legal and regulatory requirements are observed where applicable, and standards are used to benchmark performance.

We will consult with staff on safety matters and encourage the reporting of hazards and near misses. Performance indicators, such as incident frequency and training completion rates, are tracked and reported to management to drive improvements in service safety and reliability.

Conclusion: This Health & Safety policy represents our commitment to safe, professional and environmentally responsible clearance and rubbish removal services. The company will ensure adequate resources and oversight so that staff, clients and the public are safeguarded at each stage of the clearance process. The policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective and aligned with industry good practice in the rubbish removal and waste clearance sector.