Health and Safety Policy — Lewisham House Clearance and Rubbish Removal

Lewisham House Clearance is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors and members of the public affected by our house clearance and rubbish removal operations. This policy sets out the organisational approach and control measures we use across our rubbish collection and clearance service area to reduce harm and ensure compliance with general statutory duties. The purpose is to provide clear responsibilities, safe systems of work and an ongoing programme of risk reduction.

Our aim is to carry out house clearances, rubbish collection and waste transfer activities with the minimum possible risk. We will apply a consistent risk-based approach to every site visit and removal task, ensuring that tasks are planned, that staff are competent and that appropriate personal protective equipment and tools are available. All employees are required to cooperate with health and safety arrangements and follow safe operating procedures without exception.

Scope and definitions: This policy covers domestic and commercial clearance, bulky waste removal, and associated transport and storage within our service area. It applies to all staff, agency workers, contractors and visitors involved in Lewisham rubbish removal and related services. For clarity, references to "rubbish company" or "clearance team" denote those engaged in clearance, lifting, sorting, loading, transporting and disposal tasks.

Responsibilities and Management

Senior management retains overall responsibility for ensuring this health and safety policy is implemented. Managers and supervisors must carry out and document risk assessments, ensure employees are trained, and confirm that vehicles and equipment are maintained. Employees must report hazards, follow instructions and use provided safety equipment. We emphasise that safety leadership is everyone's duty.

Key responsibilities include: maintaining safe vehicle operations, controlling manual handling risks during house clearance Lewisham operations, and ensuring chemical and hazardous material identification protocols are observed. Our rubbish removal Lewisham teams receive regular briefings to identify on-site risks before work commences and to confirm emergency arrangements.

Risk assessment and control measures

Risk assessments will be carried out for each job and reviewed if circumstances change. Controls include: planned lifting methods, use of handling aids, segregation of hazardous items, clear access and egress, traffic management when loading kerbside, and secure loading procedures to prevent shifting in transit. Where specialist removal is needed (asbestos, solvents, sharps), work will be stopped and competent specialists engaged.

We maintain a written safe system of work for routine and non-routine tasks. This covers vehicle loading, use of tail lifts, stairway handling, confined space awareness (cellars, lofts), and the removal of heavy or bulky items. All staff will be trained in manual handling technique and safe loading. Training records are kept and reviewed as part of our continual improvement process.

Control of hazardous substances is central to safe clearance work. Any items that may contain hazardous materials are identified during the initial survey. Our teams are trained to isolate and secure such items, and to follow disposal routes compliant with waste transfer requirements. Employees are instructed not to open suspect containers and to seek guidance where ambiguity exists.

We operate a permit and reporting system for incidents, near-misses and health concerns. All incidents are investigated, documented and used to inform updated procedures and training. The policy promotes a culture of open reporting, with disciplinary action reserved for wilful disregard of safety rules rather than honest reporting of mistakes.

Equipment, vehicles and maintenance: vehicles used for rubbish collection Lewisham are inspected daily, subject to periodic servicing and fitted with appropriate restraint systems for loads. Hand tools and powered equipment are maintained in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and checked before use. Defective equipment is immediately taken out of service.

PPE and hygiene: suitable PPE including gloves, eye protection, hi-vis clothing and safety boots is provided. Staff are instructed in correct fitting and use of PPE. Hygiene facilities are available for handwashing after handling waste, and staff are encouraged to minimise exposure to dust and biological contaminants by using masks and appropriate barriers when required.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement: this policy will be reviewed at least annually or following significant incidents, legislative change or operational change within our clearance services. We will monitor performance through audits, toolbox talks, and feedback from employees. The objective is to continually reduce risk and to maintain an effective, practical safety management system for rubbish removal and house clearance activities.

Emergency procedures and first aid: Clear procedures for first aid, fire and emergency vehicle incidents are in place. Staff are trained in basic first aid and emergency response, and first aid kits are carried in vehicles. In the event of an emergency, work is to stop and assistance sought immediately in accordance with our response plan.

Communication and training: We ensure that all team members understand this policy through induction, regular training and refresher sessions. Specific training covers manual handling, hazardous waste recognition, vehicle safety and customer site management. Supervisors conduct pre-job briefings and ensure that risk controls are in place.

Summary of key controls:

• Site risk assessment before every job
• Competent staff and recorded training
• PPE and vehicle safety maintained and used
• Hazardous item protocols and specialist disposal
• Incident reporting and continuous review

This health and safety policy for Lewisham house clearance and rubbish removal services is a central document guiding our safe working practices. It is a living policy and will be shared with all employees, contractors and relevant stakeholders who participate in or are affected by our service activities. Commitment to safety is integral to delivering an efficient, reliable and responsible clearance service across our service area.