Health and Safety Policy for Flat Clearance Anerley

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of our flat clearance and rubbish removal service to protect the health, safety and welfare of all staff, contractors, residents and visitors during clearance operations. Our approach to flat clearance in Anerley and surrounding service areas emphasises hazard control, safe systems of work and continuous improvement. The policy applies to every stage of our clearing and rubbish disposal activity, from initial survey to final waste transfer, and is designed to be practical, measurable and proportionate to the scale of the task.

We are committed to ensuring that all operations are planned and executed with safety at the core. Responsibilities are clearly allocated: senior management is responsible for policy approval and resources; supervisors are responsible for risk assessment and enforcement; operatives are responsible for following procedures and reporting hazards. Training and competence form a central pillar of our safety culture so that every team member understands the risks associated with a flat clearance and how to reduce them.

Before any clearance job, a documented risk assessment is carried out to identify likely hazards such as manual handling, sharps, hazardous materials, pests and vehicular movements. The assessment determines control measures including use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe lifting techniques, segregation of recyclables and waste, and containment of dust and airborne particles. Where asbestos, contaminated waste or electrical hazards are suspected, work will stop and specialist advice sought. Our aim is to eliminate risks where possible and, where not possible, to reduce them to a tolerable level.

Operational controls include the use of PPE such as gloves, eye protection, masks and high-visibility clothing, along with mechanical aids and team lifting to reduce strains. Vehicles used for rubbish removal and flat clearing are subject to routine safety checks and secure loading procedures to prevent falls and spillage during transit. We maintain clear vehicle exclusion zones on-site and ensure safe pedestrian access is provided for residents and staff.

Waste handling procedures are set out in operational checklists: materials are sorted where feasible into reusable, recyclable and residual streams; hazardous items are identified and isolated; and bulky items are processed according to established transfer station or licensed disposal routes. Our rubbish clearance crews are trained to recognise commonly encountered hazards and to act in accordance with statutory duty of care for waste, ensuring correct documentation accompanies special wastes.

To support safe work we provide ongoing training, toolbox talks and induction for new team members. These sessions cover manual handling, working at height for loft or balcony clearance, sharps awareness, fire safety, and incident reporting. All staff receive instruction in the correct use of lifting equipment, sack barrows and protective equipment to reduce musculoskeletal injury. We also emphasise mental health and fatigue management for teams working extended or complex clearances.

Accident Reporting, Investigation and Review

All accidents, near misses and hazardous observations are to be reported immediately and recorded. Incidents are investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions are implemented to prevent recurrence. Regular reviews of safety performance, including analysis of missed opportunities to intervene, are carried out by management to ensure continuous improvement of the flat clearance process and rubbish disposal activities.

Key control measures that apply on every job include:

• Pre-job risk assessment and written method statement where complexity warrants;
• Provision and use of appropriate PPE for all operatives;
• Designated site supervisor responsible for safe systems of work;
• Safe handling and segregation of waste streams to minimise contamination;
• Secure loading and transport procedures for rubbish removal vehicles;
• Clear communication with occupiers and third parties to manage access and safety.

Environmental considerations are integrated into our safety plan: dust control, prevention of pollution during transfer and transport, and prioritising reuse and recycling reduce the overall environmental footprint while maintaining safe operation standards. Staff are trained to look for signs of contamination or wildlife and to act in line with conservation and public health responsibilities.

Monitoring, Review and Policy Governance

Policy governance includes scheduled audits, routine safety inspections and performance metrics to ensure the effectiveness of control measures. We monitor training records, incident trends and compliance with safe working procedures. This policy is reviewed annually or sooner following a significant incident, operational change, or update in relevant regulations to ensure our flat clearing and rubbish removal services remain safe and legally compliant.

Contractors and temporary staff must comply with this policy and demonstrate competency through documentation and on-site assessment. Supervision and spot-checks ensure consistent standards across all clearance operations. Everyone on site is encouraged to contribute to safety through active reporting and participation in reviews.

In summary, our Health and Safety Policy for flat clearance services reflects a commitment to safe, responsible and efficient rubbish clearance across our service area. It emphasises practical risk management, staff capability, environmental stewardship and accountability. Through active implementation, monitoring and review we aim to deliver a safe service that protects people, property and the environment while achieving high standards for flat clearance and rubbish removal operations.