Seven Sisters House Clearance Health and Safety Policy

Seven Sisters House Clearance is committed to providing safe and healthy working conditions for all staff, contractors and anyone affected by our rubbish removal operations. This policy sets out our approach to reducing risk across every rubbish clearance and waste management activity, whether clearing domestic properties, managing bulky waste, or providing regular rubbish collection in the wider service area. The policy supports a culture where safety, compliance and environmental responsibility are integral to daily operations.

This policy applies to all personnel engaged by the company, including drivers, loaders, operatives and office staff. It covers our core services of house clearance, household waste removal, recycling segregation and disposal coordination. The organisation will ensure that risks are assessed and controls implemented to protect people from harm and to maintain a reputable, reliable rubbish company in the service area.

Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined to ensure accountability. Management will:

• Lead on policy implementation and allocate sufficient resources.
• Ensure that risk assessments are carried out, recorded and updated.
• Provide training, supervision and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Risk assessments are the foundation of safe operations for this house clearance and rubbish collection business. Each job will be surveyed where possible and rated for hazards such as manual handling, sharp objects, chemical residues, trip and fall risks, confined spaces and traffic exposure when working near roads. Control measures include the use of mechanical aids, correct lifting techniques, high visibility clothing, traffic management plans and clear segregation of hazardous materials for specialist disposal.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Competence is essential for safe rubbish removal and waste handling. The company will deliver ongoing training that covers:

• Manual handling and safe lifting procedures.
• PPE selection and correct use (gloves, boots, eye protection).
• Vehicle loading and safe transportation of waste.
• Recognition and management of hazardous substances and sharps.

Supervisors will perform on-the-job checks, periodic competency assessments and provide regular toolbox talks to reinforce learning and share updates relevant to the service area.

Operational procedures govern how house clearances and rubbish collection tasks are planned and executed. Jobs will be planned to control foreseeable hazards: safe access and egress, secure storage of removed items pending disposal, segregation for recycling, and containment of liquids or potentially polluting substances. We will use secure, well-maintained vehicles and provide clear instructions to crews about load limits, correct stacking and safe use of tail lifts and ramps to minimise risk during transfer.

Equipment and vehicle maintenance are central to safe service delivery. A preventative maintenance schedule will be maintained for all fleet and lifting equipment. Daily pre-start checks must be completed and any defects reported immediately. Tools and mechanical aids will be inspected, cleaned and stored correctly to prevent deterioration and unsafe use.

Emergencies, incidents and first aid procedures are established so staff know how to respond and whom to notify. The policy requires immediate reporting of accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions. Investigations will identify root causes and corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Where appropriate, the company will coordinate with emergency services and follow established protocols for dealing with hazardous waste or environmental incidents without delay.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement ensure the policy remains effective and relevant. The company will conduct routine safety audits, site inspections and performance reviews to assess adherence to procedures. Health and safety performance indicators, such as incident frequency, near-miss reporting rates and successful completion of refresher training, will inform ongoing improvements to our rubbish clearance services.

Contractor and subcontractor management is a priority: vetting, clear contractual safety obligations and regular monitoring ensure that third-party providers operate to the same high standards. Waste transfer and disposal arrangements will be managed responsibly to avoid illegal dumping and environmental harm. Records will be kept to demonstrate compliance with our operational standards and waste handling requirements.

Management endorses this policy and will review it annually or following significant change, accident or legislative update that affects our service area. All employees are required to cooperate, follow instruction, use provided PPE and report concerns so that House Clearance and rubbish removal activities are conducted safely and professionally for the benefit of staff, clients and the local environment.