Cleaner Edgware Health and Safety Policy

Cleaner Edgware is committed to providing cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors, and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks arising from our cleaning activities across homes, offices, and commercial premises in our service area.

We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to maintaining a high standard of service, preventing injuries and ill health, and meeting our legal and moral responsibilities. All employees, contractors, and managers are required to follow this policy and the procedures that support it.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of this policy is to ensure that all cleaning work carried out by Cleaner Edgware is planned and delivered safely. Our objectives are to:

Identify and control risks associated with cleaning activities and equipment.
Provide and maintain safe systems of work, including the safe use, handling, and storage of cleaning substances and materials.
Ensure employees are competent to carry out their work through appropriate training, supervision, and information.
Provide suitable personal protective equipment and ensure it is used correctly.
Prevent accidents, injuries, and cases of work-related ill health.
Review and continually improve our health and safety performance.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management of Cleaner Edgware. Management will ensure that this policy is implemented, monitored, and reviewed regularly.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Implementing this policy and related procedures.
Ensuring risk assessments are carried out and control measures are followed.
Providing training, instruction, and supervision to cleaning staff.
Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses to prevent recurrence.

Employees are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Following training, safe working procedures, and any safety instructions given to them.
Using equipment and personal protective equipment correctly and reporting any defects.
Reporting hazards, accidents, and near misses to management without delay.

Risk Assessment

Cleaner Edgware carries out risk assessments for all significant cleaning tasks, premises, and equipment. These assessments consider hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, use of cleaning chemicals, electrical equipment, working at height, lone working, and security risks at client sites.

Control measures identified in risk assessments will be implemented and communicated to staff. Where necessary, site specific risk assessments will be carried out for individual client locations to address particular layouts, surfaces, equipment, and access conditions.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Many cleaning products contain substances that can be harmful if used incorrectly. Cleaner Edgware manages these risks by:

Selecting cleaning products that are suitable for professional use and, where practicable, using less hazardous alternatives.
Carrying out assessments for substances used in accordance with control of substances hazardous to health requirements.
Providing clear instructions and training on dilution, application, contact times, and safe disposal.
Ensuring that all containers are clearly labelled and stored securely away from children and unauthorised persons.
Providing appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, or eye protection when required.

Personal Protective Equipment

Cleaner Edgware supplies personal protective equipment appropriate to the task and the risks involved. This may include gloves, masks, aprons, safety footwear, and eye protection. Employees must:

Use the protective equipment provided in accordance with training and instructions.
Inspect protective equipment before use and report any damage or defects immediately.
Store equipment properly when not in use and never remove safety features.

Safe Use of Equipment

All cleaning equipment used by Cleaner Edgware, such as vacuum cleaners, floor machines, and other tools, will be maintained in a safe, serviceable condition. Electrical equipment will be checked regularly, and any items found to be damaged or unsafe will be removed from use.

Employees will receive training in the safe operation of any equipment they are required to use, including correct cable management to prevent trips, safe lifting and movement of machines, and appropriate use of attachments and accessories.

Manual Handling

Cleaning work often involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling items such as waste bags, equipment, and supplies. To reduce the risk of injury, Cleaner Edgware will:

Minimise manual handling where possible by using trolleys and other aids.
Provide manual handling training to help staff understand correct posture, lifting techniques, and load assessment.
Encourage staff to avoid carrying loads that are too heavy and to ask for assistance when needed.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

We take practical steps to minimise the risk of slips, trips, and falls during cleaning operations. This includes:

Using appropriate wet floor signage whenever floors are being cleaned or may be slippery.
Using methods and products suitable for the floor type to avoid residue and unnecessary slipperiness.
Keeping work areas tidy, managing cables properly, and clearing spills promptly.
Following safe methods when using steps or small ladders for reaching high surfaces.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All employees receive an introduction to health and safety when they start work with Cleaner Edgware, including information on this policy, emergency procedures, and incident reporting. Additional task specific training is provided for the use of chemicals, equipment, and specialist cleaning methods.

Supervision is provided appropriate to the experience and training of each worker. Refresher training is arranged as necessary, particularly when new products, equipment, or procedures are introduced.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous situations that occur during Cleaner Edgware activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables us to provide support, take immediate action if required, and investigate the causes of incidents so that lessons can be learned and improvements made.

Employees are briefed on emergency arrangements relevant to the sites they work at, including fire procedures, assembly points, and the location of first aid provision. Staff must cooperate with client site rules and any additional local safety arrangements.

Cooperation with Clients

Cleaner Edgware recognises that effective health and safety management depends on cooperation with clients. We work with clients to understand their own policies, site rules, and specific risks, and we will adapt our working methods where necessary to integrate safely with existing arrangements.

We expect clients to inform us of any hazards or changes on their premises that may affect our staff, and we will share relevant information regarding our activities that may have an impact on others on site.

Monitoring and Review

This health and safety policy is monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that it remains effective and relevant to the services offered by Cleaner Edgware. Regular reviews will consider any changes in legislation, industry best practice, our range of services, and feedback from incidents or staff suggestions.

Where improvements are identified, we will update this policy and our procedures accordingly and communicate these changes to all affected employees and contractors. By doing so, Cleaner Edgware aims to maintain a safe, healthy, and professional cleaning service throughout our operating area.