Hackney House Clearance Health & Safety Policy

Policy Statement

Hackney House Clearance is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors and members of the public affected by our rubbish company service area operations. This policy sets out the principles and responsibilities for safe waste removal, house clearance and general rubbish collection services. The aim is to prevent accidents, occupational illness and environmental harm through clear controls and continual improvement.

Scope

This policy applies to all operations delivered by the company including domestic house clearance, commercial rubbish removal, bulky waste collection and other clearance activities across our service area. It covers staff, sub-contractors, temporary workers and visitors engaged in rubbish clearance, waste disposal or associated transport activities.

Responsibilities The company director holds overall responsibility for health and safety. Managers and supervisors must ensure that safe systems of work are developed and followed. Employees are required to cooperate with safe working practices, use provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards or incidents promptly. All personnel must participate in safety training relevant to their role in the rubbish removal service area.

Risk Assessment and Control We will assess risks for each clearance job, including manual handling, vehicle loading, sharps and hazardous materials. Controls include safe lifting techniques, team lifts for bulky items, use of trolleys and lifting aids, segregation of hazardous waste, and route planning to reduce manual handling and traffic exposure. Risk assessments are recorded and reviewed for each type of clearance task.

Personal Protective Equipment Mandatory PPE includes high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for handling mixed waste, safety boots and eye protection where required. Additional PPE may be issued for hazardous materials, asbestos-suspect items or chemical spillage. PPE use and maintenance are part of staff inductions and periodic checks.

Training and Competency All operatives receive induction training covering safe rubbish collection practices, manual handling, waste segregation and emergency procedures. Training is refreshed periodically and whenever procedures or equipment change. Competency assessments ensure staff are capable of working safely in the rubbish clearance service area.

Vehicle and Plant Safety Vehicles used in clearance work must be maintained, inspected and operated according to manufacturer guidance. Drivers and loaders are briefed on safe loading, securing loads and vehicle stability. Procedures cover reversing, use of banksmen where necessary, safe access to vehicle decks and lock-out/tag-out for maintenance activities.

Hazardous Waste and Prohibited Items The company will not accept regulated hazardous wastes or items requiring specialist disposal (e.g., certain chemicals, asbestos, medical waste) without appropriate licensing and controls. Staff are trained to identify suspect items and to isolate and report them for specialist handling. Where safe removal is not possible, the job will be paused until qualified arrangements are made.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting: Clear procedures are in place for accidents, spills, fires and near-miss events. All incidents are reported, recorded and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. First aid kits and fire extinguishers are available on vehicles and at operational depots. Employees must ensure rapid reporting and support emergency services when required.

Waste Handling and Environmental Controls The company commits to responsible waste management including segregation for recycling, safe transportation and licensed disposal at authorized facilities. Measures are in place to control dust, litter and potential contamination during clearance. Spill kits and containment materials are kept where chemical or liquid waste may be encountered.

Contractors and Third Parties Sub-contractors working for the company must meet the same safety standards and provide evidence of competency, insurance and appropriate risk assessments. The company will coordinate tasks to ensure safe interfaces between different teams operating within the rubbish collection service area.

Health Surveillance and Wellbeing Roles involving repetitive manual handling or exposure to dust and other hazards will have appropriate health surveillance where required. The company encourages a culture of wellbeing, providing guidance on safe lifting, ergonomics and access to occupational health advice when necessary.

Monitoring and Review Health and safety performance is monitored through regular inspections, toolbox talks and review of incident data. This policy is reviewed at planned intervals and after significant incidents or changes to operations to ensure it remains effective for the entire rubbish removal and clearance service area.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement Compliance with this policy is mandatory. The company will maintain records of training, risk assessments, incident investigations and vehicle maintenance. Through audits and feedback mechanisms we will strive for continuous improvement in safety performance across all aspects of our rubbish company operations.

Communication

This policy is communicated to staff, contractors and operational partners. Clear on-the-job briefings and documented safe work plans accompany each clearance assignment. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns without fear of reprisal to support a proactive safety culture.

Conclusion The company takes a structured approach to managing hazards associated with house clearance and rubbish collection. By combining competent people, robust procedures and ongoing monitoring, Hackney House Clearance aims to deliver safe, compliant and responsible rubbish removal services across its service area.

Policy Ownership This document is owned by company management and will be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in operations, regulations and best practice for junk removal, rubbish clearance and related waste services.