Health and Safety Policy — Southwark House Clearance

Purpose: This document sets out the Health and Safety policy for Southwark House Clearance and its house clearance and rubbish removal operations. Our aim is to protect employees, contractors, clients and members of the public while carrying out domestic and commercial clearance, rubbish collection, waste removal and recycling work. The policy applies to all work undertaken by our clearance teams and supports compliance with statutory obligations and recognised safe work practices.

We recognise that safe systems of work are essential to an efficient and professional rubbish removal and clearance service. Every task, from initial survey to the final load-out and disposal, will be risk-assessed and planned to eliminate or control hazards. The organisation is committed to providing training, equipment and supervision to ensure that risks are reduced to an acceptable level.

Scope: This policy covers the full range of activities associated with house clearance, including handling bulky items, hazardous materials identification, vehicle loading and unloading, manual handling, use of tools and powered equipment, on-site waste segregation and safe transport to licensed facilities. It applies equally to subcontractors engaged in clearance and rubbish collection duties.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management will provide resources and leadership to ensure the policy is effective. Specific responsibilities include: implementing safe systems, ensuring legal compliance, maintaining equipment, and monitoring performance. Managers will carry out periodic audits and site inspections to confirm standards are maintained.

The company will maintain documented procedures for:

• Risk assessment and method statements for clearance jobs
• Incident reporting and investigation
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) provision and use
• Vehicle and plant maintenance

Worker Duties

Employees and contractors must follow instructions, use provided PPE, and take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others. Workers must report hazards, near misses and incidents promptly and cooperate with investigations. Training in manual handling, asbestos awareness, sharps handling and safe loading techniques will be provided where relevant to the task.

Risk Control Measures — Controls will be selected following the hierarchy of prevention: eliminate hazards where possible, substitute with safer options, apply engineering and administrative controls, and provide PPE as a last resort. Controls used by our removal teams include: mechanical lifting aids, two-person handling protocols for bulky items, clear walkways, and lockable containment for hazardous waste until transfer to approved disposal facilities.

Site-specific measures are implemented according to the nature of the property and the clearance scope. During every clearance we will: perform a pre-start check, cordon off dangerous areas, identify asbestos-containing materials and arrange for licensed removal if necessary, segregate recyclables from general waste, and ensure secure transport of any controlled waste in line with duty of care requirements.

Training is a core component of risk control. All operational staff receive training in safe manual handling, use of trolleys and sack trucks, correct lifting posture, traffic management during vehicle loading, and infection control when handling contaminated materials. Refresher training is provided regularly.

Emergency Response and Incident Management

The company maintains clear procedures for emergencies including injury, fire, uncontrolled spillage, or discovery of hazardous substances. First aid supplies are provided in vehicles and at the depot. Incidents are recorded, investigated and corrective actions implemented to prevent recurrence. Where required, regulatory notifications will be made without delay.

Subcontractors and temporary staff must be briefed on emergency arrangements and the location of first aid kits and fire extinguishers. Evacuation routes should be assessed at each site and kept free of obstructions during clearance operations. Where traffic risks exist, adequate signage and traffic control will be used to protect staff and the public.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Performance will be monitored through regular inspections, incident trend analysis and worker feedback. This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed at least annually and updated in response to changes in legislation, standards or operational practice. Continuous improvement is expected: we will learn from incidents, near-misses and good practice to enhance our waste clearance and rubbish removal processes.

Key Responsibilities Summary — To make the policy actionable, responsibilities are summarised below:

• Management: Provide resources, training and oversight for safe clearances.
• Supervisors: Ensure method statements and risk assessments are followed on site.
• Workers: Use PPE, report hazards and follow safe work procedures.
• Subcontractors: Comply with company safety standards and report incidents.

Safe practice in house clearance and rubbish removal is the collective responsibility of everyone involved. Adherence to this policy helps protect health, prevents harm and supports efficient, professional clearance operations across our service area. Regular training, documented procedures and a culture of reporting and learning will be maintained to sustain high standards in all clearance, waste removal and rubbish collection activities.

Review and Approval — This Health and Safety policy is approved by senior management and is available to all employees. It will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains current and effective in managing the risks associated with house clearance and rubbish company operations.

Commitment: We are committed to preventing injury and ill health through continuous attention to safe working methods, competent personnel, and lawful disposal of waste materials. Our clearance teams are expected to uphold these standards on every job.

Signed on behalf of the company — Policy implementation takes effect immediately and applies to every aspect of our clearance and waste management services.