Health and Safety Policy for House Clearance Canary Wharf

Purpose: This policy sets out the commitment of our house clearance and rubbish removal service to protect the health, safety and welfare of staff, clients and the public during all residential and commercial clearance operations. It applies to every stage of a clearance, from initial assessment through to waste disposal, and is intended to support high standards across our waste removal service area while remaining compliant with relevant safety expectations.

Policy statement: We prioritise safe working practices and the minimisation of risk. Our staff are required to follow safe systems of work, to wear specified personal protective equipment where necessary, and to report hazards promptly. The firm recognises its duty to provide training, supervision and resources that enable safe house clearances in Canary Wharf and surrounding service locations managed by our rubbish company.

Scope and applicability

This health and safety policy covers:

• Residential house clearance and flat clearance work
• Commercial and office junk removal tasks
• Loading, transporting and disposing of bulky items and hazardous materials

The arrangements herein are relevant to all employees, agency personnel and contractors engaged in clearance and waste collection activities across our service area.

Responsibilities

Management will ensure that risk assessments are carried out and that safe operating procedures are in place and reviewed. Supervisors and team leaders must implement these procedures during every rubbish collection and waste removal operation. Individual workers are responsible for following instructions, using safety equipment and participating in training.

Risk assessment and planning: Before any job, a competent person will assess site conditions, access constraints, the presence of hazardous materials and manual handling requirements. Assessments will consider potential asbestos, sharps, chemicals, electrical risks and confined spaces. Where appropriate, clearance work will be adjusted, or specialist contractors engaged for specific waste streams.

Operational controls

Safe systems of work include:

• Identifying and segregating waste types at source to prevent cross-contamination
• Providing mechanical aids and trolleys to reduce manual handling injuries
• Using clearly labelled containment for sharp objects, chemicals and electronic waste

All operatives are expected to follow documented procedures for house clearance, flat removals and general rubbish collection tasks.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and training: Staff will be issued and required to wear appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety boots, high-visibility clothing and eye protection. Respiratory protection will be used when dust or airborne contaminants are present. Regular training sessions cover manual handling, safe lifting techniques, vehicle loading and the correct disposal of bulky waste.

Vehicle and site safety: Company vehicles used for waste removal are maintained to an agreed schedule. Drivers and loaders must secure loads to prevent shifting in transit and follow safe unloading procedures on arrival. Where work is conducted on client premises, operatives must ensure adequate lighting, clear access routes and safe stacking to prevent slips, trips and falls during clearance operations.

Waste segregation and environmental considerations: Our clearance teams will separate recyclable materials, recoverable items and general refuse to decrease landfill disposal. Hazardous items are identified, contained and disposed of through licensed channels. This approach supports better environmental outcomes while maintaining safety during removal jobs.

Emergency procedures and first aid

We maintain clear emergency arrangements for injuries, fire, spillages and accidental exposure. First aid kits are available on-site and in vehicles; trained first aiders are appointed for operations that present higher risks. All incidents must be reported immediately to the supervisor and recorded in our incident log for follow-up action.

Incident reporting and investigation: We operate a transparent process for reporting near misses and accidents. Investigations aim to identify root causes, implement corrective measures and prevent recurrence. Lessons learned are communicated to staff through toolbox talks and updates to safe working procedures.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement

The health and safety policy is reviewed at regular intervals and after significant incidents or regulatory changes. Audits, site inspections and feedback from operatives inform improvements. Our ambition is to maintain high standards in house clearance operations, ensuring that our rubbish company service area operates with proactive safety controls and ongoing risk reduction.

Compliance and culture: We expect everyone involved in clearance work to share a commitment to safety. Compliance with this policy is mandatory, and breaches may result in disciplinary action. Cultivating a safety-first culture is essential for protecting staff, clients and the wider community during everything from single-room clear-outs to larger estate clearance projects.

Summary of key controls:

• Pre-job risk assessments and clear method statements
• Appropriate PPE, training and supervision
• Safe handling, segregation and disposal of all waste streams
• Maintained vehicles and secure load practices
• Prompt incident reporting, investigation and corrective actions

Application: This policy applies to all employees, contractors and subcontractors performing house clearance, waste removal and rubbish collection tasks on behalf of the company. It underpins our commitment to safe, efficient and environmentally responsible clearance services across our service area and sets the standards expected for health and safety performance.