Health And Safety Policy
Cleaners Pimlico Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Cleaners Pimlico to provide cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public. Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health, and to promote a positive safety culture across all cleaning operations.
Policy Statement
Cleaners Pimlico is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in all locations where we operate. We will identify and manage risks arising from our cleaning work, supply suitable equipment and materials, and ensure that all staff are competent to carry out their duties safely. We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the quality and reliability of our cleaning services.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources, information and training are provided. Management will review this policy regularly and update it as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice or business activity.
Supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy on site, monitoring working practices, reporting hazards and ensuring that staff follow safe systems of work. They must lead by example and promote a culture where health and safety concerns are addressed promptly.
Employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment and report accidents, near misses or unsafe conditions without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before work is carried out at any premises, Cleaners Pimlico will assess the risks associated with the cleaning tasks, the environment and any specific client requirements. Risk assessments will identify hazards, evaluate who may be harmed and how, and determine appropriate control measures.
From these assessments we will develop clear safe systems of work that outline correct procedures for each task, including the use of chemicals, equipment and access methods. These procedures will be communicated to all relevant staff and reviewed periodically to ensure they remain effective and up to date.
Training, Instruction and Supervision
We will provide all employees with suitable health and safety training, both at induction and on an ongoing basis. Training will cover, as appropriate, safe use of cleaning equipment, correct handling and dilution of cleaning chemicals, manual handling techniques, working at height where applicable, and emergency procedures.
Written instructions and site-specific information will be made available to staff. Supervisors will monitor performance, provide additional guidance where needed and ensure that only trained and authorised personnel carry out higher-risk tasks.
COSHH and Safe Use of Chemicals
Cleaners Pimlico will comply with relevant control of substances regulations by assessing the risks from cleaning chemicals and other hazardous substances used in our work. We will select products that are effective yet as safe as reasonably practicable, and ensure that they are stored, labelled and used in accordance with manufacturer guidance.
Staff will receive instruction on safe handling, correct dilution, appropriate personal protective equipment, and what to do in the event of spills, contact with skin or eyes, or inhalation. Safety data information will be available for all products in use.
Equipment Safety and Maintenance
All equipment used by Cleaners Pimlico, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines, ladders and any electrical tools, will be suitable for the intended task and maintained in a safe condition. Regular checks will be carried out and any faulty equipment will be taken out of use immediately until repaired or replaced.
Employees must use equipment only for its intended purpose, follow training and instructions, and report any defects or concerns without delay.
Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Health
Many cleaning tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling. We will assess manual handling risks and, where possible, eliminate or reduce them by using trolleys, long-handled tools and other mechanical aids. Staff will receive training in safe lifting techniques and in planning tasks to minimise strain.
Employees are expected to follow guidance, avoid unsafe lifting and inform their supervisor if any task appears to present an unacceptable manual handling risk or causes discomfort.
Working Environment and Welfare
We will work with clients to maintain safe access and egress to work areas, ensure that workspaces are adequately lit and ventilated, and that cleaning activities are planned to minimise risks to building users. Wet floor signs and other warnings will be used where necessary to reduce the risk of slips and trips.
Where reasonably practicable, appropriate welfare arrangements such as access to washing facilities, drinking water and rest areas will be agreed with clients to support the health and wellbeing of our staff.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to a supervisor or manager so that appropriate action can be taken and records kept. Where necessary we will investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Emergency procedures, including fire evacuation, first aid arrangements and response to chemical spills, will be communicated to staff working at each site. Employees must familiarise themselves with local emergency arrangements and comply with any client-specific requirements.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Cleaners Pimlico encourages open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to raise ideas, concerns or suggestions for improving safety practices. Management will review feedback, incident data and audit findings to drive continual improvement in our health and safety performance.
This Health and Safety policy will be communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate to the nature and scale of our cleaning operations and our commitment to safe and reliable service delivery.