Cleaner Haringey Health and Safety Policy

Cleaner Haringey is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, promoting safe working practices, and complying with relevant health and safety legislation applicable to professional cleaning services.

Policy Aims and Scope

This policy applies to all Cleaner Haringey operations, including domestic and commercial cleaning services, periodic deep cleans, end of tenancy cleans, and any other related activities. Our aims are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, to manage health and safety risks in a systematic way, and to continually improve our safety performance.

We recognise that effective health and safety management is an integral part of delivering reliable and professional cleaning services. All employees, contractors, and supervisors are expected to follow this policy and cooperate actively in creating safe working conditions.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Cleaner Haringey has overall responsibility for health and safety. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources, information, and supervision are provided so that work can be carried out safely and without unacceptable risk to health.

Management will ensure that:

Clear health and safety objectives are set, communicated, and reviewed regularly. Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out for all cleaning activities, premises, and equipment. Safe systems of work and method statements are developed, implemented, and updated when necessary. All cleaning products, substances, and equipment used by our teams are selected, stored, and used safely. Accidents, incidents, and near misses are reported, investigated, and used as learning opportunities for improvement.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees of Cleaner Haringey have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions, training, and procedures. Use equipment, chemicals, and protective clothing correctly and as trained. Report hazards, defects, accidents, and near misses to their supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable. Refrain from any reckless behaviour or misuse of safety equipment. Cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy and any associated procedures.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Cleaner Haringey ensures that all staff receive appropriate health and safety training relevant to their role. Training includes induction for new employees, task-specific training such as safe use of cleaning chemicals and machinery, and refresher training where needed.

Employees are provided with clear information on hazards, safe working methods, and emergency procedures for the premises in which they work. Supervision is provided proportionate to the level of experience and the risks associated with the work. No employee is expected to undertake tasks for which they have not been adequately trained or instructed.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Methods

We carry out risk assessments to identify hazards connected with our cleaning services, such as slips and trips, manual handling, electrical equipment, and chemical exposure. Based on these assessments, we adopt control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Safe working methods may include planning access routes and work areas to minimise obstructions, using appropriate warning signs during cleaning, adopting safe lifting and handling techniques when moving equipment and waste, ensuring correct dilution, handling, and disposal of cleaning agents, and avoiding lone working in high-risk environments where possible.

Use of Chemicals and Hazardous Substances

Cleaner Haringey uses cleaning products in accordance with manufacturer instructions and applicable regulations. Assessments are conducted for hazardous substances to ensure that they are used and stored safely.

Employees are trained in understanding product labels and hazard symbols, the importance of correct dilution rates, the use of suitable personal protective equipment, measures to prevent skin contact and inhalation, and actions to take in case of spills, splashes, or accidental exposure.

Equipment Safety and Maintenance

All cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines, and other powered tools, is selected, maintained, and used to ensure safety. Equipment is inspected regularly, and any defects or damage must be reported immediately. Faulty equipment is taken out of service until it has been repaired or replaced by a competent person.

Employees must only use equipment for its intended purpose and must not attempt repairs unless they are authorised and competent to do so.

Personal Protective Equipment

Cleaner Haringey provides personal protective equipment where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Depending on the task, this may include gloves, eye protection, masks, or other protective clothing.

Employees are required to use the protective equipment provided, to keep it in good condition, and to report any damage or loss so that it can be replaced promptly.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergencies

All accidents, incidents, and near misses arising out of our work must be reported as soon as possible. Cleaner Haringey maintains records of such events and investigates them to identify root causes and take appropriate corrective action.

Employees are informed of emergency procedures relevant to the premises where they work, including fire evacuation routes, assembly points, and locations of first aid provision. Staff must follow these procedures and cooperate with building management and emergency services when required.

Health, Welfare, and Wellbeing

We recognise the importance of maintaining the general health and wellbeing of our staff. Cleaner Haringey seeks to arrange work in a way that minimises unnecessary physical strain, repetitive movements, and stress. Where practicable, we provide suitable welfare arrangements, including access to rest breaks, drinking water, and sanitary facilities in line with the premises where services are delivered.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Cleaner Haringey monitors health and safety performance through inspections, feedback from staff and clients, and analysis of accident records. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, working practices, or legal requirements.

We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety standards, and we encourage open communication so that concerns and suggestions can be raised without hesitation.

Policy Communication and Implementation

This Health and Safety Policy is communicated to all employees and is made available to clients and other interested parties on request. It forms part of the induction process for new staff and is reinforced through ongoing training and supervision.

By working together and following this policy, Cleaner Haringey aims to ensure that our cleaning services are delivered safely, responsibly, and with due regard for the health and wellbeing of everyone affected by our work.