Health and Safety Policy — Pinner House Clearance

Pinner House Clearance maintains a comprehensive Health and Safety policy to protect employees, clients and members of the public during all clearance and waste removal operations undertaken in our rubbish company service area. This policy sets out the principles and procedures we use to manage risks associated with house clearance, waste clearance and rubbish removal service activities. It applies to all staff, contractors and temporary workers and is reviewed regularly to reflect changes in law, best practice and operational requirements.

Our commitment includes regular risk assessments, clear allocation of responsibilities and the provision of appropriate training and personal protective equipment. We emphasise that safety is a shared responsibility: managers must ensure safe systems of work, supervisors monitor compliance, and employees adopt safe methods and report hazards. The policy also covers vehicle safety, manual handling, hazardous materials and site-specific controls for domestic and commercial clearances.

Risk Management and Responsibilities

All operations begin with a pre-task risk assessment and method statement tailored to the specific property and the scope of the clearance. Typical hazards we assess include: sharps, asbestos suspicion, mould, heavy lifting, fall risks when working on stairs or in lofts, traffic and public access issues. Controls are implemented in order of priority: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative actions and PPE. Managers must ensure assessments are documented and that control measures are communicated to every team member.

Employees are required to follow safe working procedures and to use the provided equipment correctly. Training records and competency checks are maintained to ensure staff are capable of delivering a safe house clearance service. Contractors working in our rubbish removal service area must comply with this policy and demonstrate equivalent standards before undertaking any work on behalf of Pinner House Clearance.

Personal Protective Equipment and Manual Handling

PPE is supplied based on the outcome of risk assessments and may include gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or airborne contaminants are present. Staff are trained in correct PPE selection, use and maintenance. We apply strict rules on wearing PPE during operations and provide documented guidance for when additional protection is required.

Manual handling procedures emphasise team lifts, mechanical aids and safe lifting techniques to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Where possible, we use trolleys, hoists and vehicle tail lifts during rubbish collection and bulky item removal. Health surveillance and reporting processes are in place to identify and address any repetitive strain or lifting-related injuries.

Specialist handling of hazardous materials is strictly controlled. Suspected asbestos, chemicals, sharps and electronic waste are segregated and handled only by trained personnel or appropriate contractors. We maintain clear segregation, labelling and containment procedures for hazardous waste to ensure compliance with environmental and safety obligations. Any suspected contaminated items trigger immediate suspension of work until appropriately cleared.

Vehicle safety forms a critical part of our operational controls within the wider rubbish company service region. Drivers receive training on safe loading, load restraint and secure parking to protect the public and property. Vehicles are maintained under a regular inspection regime and records of maintenance and checks are kept to ensure safe roadworthy condition at all times.

Working at height risks are controlled using proper equipment and planning. Access to lofts, roofs or raised areas is limited to trained personnel using ladders or portable platforms, with fall prevention measures in place. We avoid improvised solutions and ensure that any temporary works meet safety standards to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Emergency response and incident reporting procedures are clearly defined. Staff are trained to respond to incidents, including first aid provisions, containment of spills and reporting lines for accidents and near misses. All incidents are investigated, recorded and reviewed to prevent recurrence and to reinforce a culture of continuous improvement across our waste clearance operations.

Communication is central to our safety approach. Job briefings and toolbox talks are conducted before tasks commence, and staff are encouraged to raise concerns without fear of reprisal. Supervisors perform spot checks and safety observations to ensure controls are working effectively. We also use documented checklists to confirm that sites are left secure and hazards are removed or clearly signposted following completion of work.

This Health and Safety policy is supported by ongoing training, monitoring and audit activities. Performance indicators include incident rates, compliance audits and corrective action completion times. The policy is reviewed at regular intervals and updated to reflect operational changes and emerging risks in the rubbish collection and waste management sectors. By combining clear leadership, competent staff and practical controls, Pinner House Clearance strives to deliver a safe, reliable and responsible rubbish removal and waste clearance service across our service areas.