Wimbledon House Clearance Health & Safety Policy

Wimbledon House Clearance is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors and members of the public affected by our rubbish removal and waste services. This policy outlines the arrangements we maintain to deliver safe house clearance operations and responsible waste clearance across our service area. It applies to all activities relating to home clear-outs, estate clearances, furniture removal and general rubbish collection, and reflects our aim to prevent injury, ill health and environmental harm.

Our approach balances practical site management with proactive risk control. Responsibilities are clearly allocated: senior management provide leadership and resources; supervisors ensure procedures are followed on site; operatives take care to work safely and use equipment correctly. Training, supervision and competency checks are provided so that every clearance team understands manual handling best practice, correct use of PPE, and safe procedures for bulky item removal and vehicle loading.

Scope and Commitment

The policy covers all aspects of our house clearance and rubbish collection work, including client premises, communal areas, stairwells, gardens and vehicles. We commit to: conducting suitable and sufficient risk assessments, maintaining safe systems of work, complying with applicable legislation and industry standards, and continually improving safety performance. House clearance Wimbledon services will be delivered without compromising the safety of operatives or members of the public.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Risk assessment is central to our operations. Before any clearance begins we assess hazards such as trip and fall risks, unstable loads, sharps and contaminated items, hazardous substances, confined spaces and vehicle movements. Control measures include mechanical aids for lifting, exclusion zones during loading, appropriate waste segregation, and clear traffic management for rubbish removal services. Assessments are documented, reviewed and communicated to all team members.

Manual handling is a primary risk in clearance work. To reduce injuries we adopt engineered solutions where possible (dollies, lifting straps, hoists), rotate tasks to avoid repetitive strain, and enforce maximum safe lifting limits. Operatives receive manual handling training and a system for reporting and investigating near misses to ensure corrective action is taken.

PPE and equipment are selected for each task and maintained in serviceable condition. Required PPE may include high-visibility clothing, gloves appropriate to the waste type, eye protection, respiratory protection for dusty operations, and safety footwear. Tools, vehicles and lifting equipment are inspected according to a planned maintenance schedule, and defects are removed from service until repaired.

Hazardous items and controlled wastes are identified and managed separately from general household rubbish. Our teams follow a waste clearance protocol for batteries, asbestos-containing materials, chemicals, solvents and medical waste, ensuring safe containment and lawful transfer to authorised disposal facilities. Where specialist removal is required we suspend removal and arrange for accredited hazardous waste handlers to complete the task.

Vehicles used for house clearance are driven and loaded in accordance with safe loading and vehicle stability guidance. Drivers are trained in vehicle safety, loading limits and route planning to minimise risks to the public. Vehicle checks are carried out pre-shift and recorded; securement procedures prevent shifting loads and debris during transit, reducing the chance of road incidents involving loose rubbish or fly-tipped items.

Operational Controls and Monitoring: we employ site supervisors to ensure method statements are followed and to confirm that control measures remain adequate throughout a clearance. Health surveillance, toolbox talks and periodic audits support continuous improvement. Documented procedures cover incident reporting, first aid arrangements and emergency response to accidental contamination or injury.

Training, competence and communication are vital: every operative receives induction training, task-specific briefings and refresher sessions. We maintain records of qualifications, training modules and competency checks. Clear lines of communication ensure that changes in scope or unexpected hazards are escalated quickly, and that operatives have the authority to stop work if conditions are unsafe.

Our policy emphasises the importance of preventive action and employee involvement. Workers are encouraged to participate in safety consultations, report hazards and suggest improvements. Supervisors conduct daily pre-start checks and risk briefings, and management reviews health and safety performance at regular intervals to ensure the policy is effective and current.

Review and continuous improvement: this health and safety policy is reviewed at least annually or after significant incidents, changes in work methods, or introduction of new equipment. Performance indicators such as incident rates, near-miss reports and audit outcomes guide improvements. By embedding safety into every clearance operation we aim to deliver reliable, professional and safe house clearance and rubbish collection services across our area.