Team conducting house clearance with protective gear

Health & Safety Policy — Wandsworth House Clearance

This document outlines the Health and Safety policy for Wandsworth House Clearance, the professional house clearance and rubbish removal company. The policy sets out our commitment to providing a safe working environment for employees, contractors and the public while carrying out house clearance, rubbish collection and waste disposal tasks. It applies to all activities performed by our clearance team including domestic and commercial removals, debris handling and rubbish collection services.

Policy Statement

Our aim is to prevent work-related injury and ill health by managing risks associated with clearance work. We will comply with relevant health and safety obligations and maintain safe systems of work. The organisation will provide adequate resources, training and supervision so that all removal and rubbish clearance tasks are carried out safely and without undue risk to health. All employees and subcontractors must cooperate with this policy and follow safe working procedures.

Operatives assessing a property for removal and rubbish collection

Scope and Application

This policy covers the full range of house clearance services including loft clearances, furniture removal, garden waste clearance and hazardous item identification. It also addresses rubbish transportation and disposal where the team engages with transfer stations or authorised waste facilities. Variations of our service descriptions include house clearance Wandsworth, rubbish removal and clearance and waste collection, and are covered equally by the controls described below.

Responsibilities

Management — ensure risk assessments are completed, provide training and resources, and review safety performance.
Supervisors — oversee safe systems of work on site, ensure PPE is used and carry out routine checks.
Operatives — follow procedures, report hazards and incidents, and use PPE correctly.

Each role is expected to support a positive safety culture. Failure to follow this policy may result in disciplinary action.

Workers using equipment and performing safe manual handling during clearance

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

All clearance jobs require a site-specific risk assessment prior to work commencing. Assessments will identify manual handling risks, sharps, asbestos suspicion, electrical hazards, chemical exposures and traffic risks associated with vehicle movement. Control measures include task-specific safe systems of work, mechanical aids for lifting, exclusion zones, clear signage and segregation of hazardous materials for specialist disposal.

Where hazardous waste or suspicious materials are identified, work will be stopped and a competent adviser contacted. Our rubbish removal operations will segregate recyclable materials and ensure hazardous items are handled by trained staff using correct containment and labelling. Sharps and biohazardous items will be treated with extra precautions including secure containment and authorised disposal routes.

Safe Working Practices

Standard safe working practices for the clearance team include use of appropriate PPE such as gloves, hi-vis clothing, protective footwear and eye protection. Mechanical aids and trolleys must be used for heavy items. A permit-to-work or documented method statement will be used for complex jobs. Vehicles used for rubbish collection must be maintained, loaded safely and not exceed capacity limits.

Manual Handling and Equipment

All staff receive manual handling training and are required to assess lifts before acting. Team lifts, lifting equipment and mechanical aids are used where appropriate. Equipment such as hoists, ramps and dollies are inspected regularly. Any damaged equipment is removed from service until repaired. These measures reduce musculoskeletal injury risk during house clearance and rubbish removal tasks.

Emergency response kit and first aid setup at a clearance site

Training, Competence and Communication

We will provide induction training for new staff and ongoing refresher training. Training covers risk assessment interpretation, safe lifting, hazardous material recognition, emergency procedures and vehicle safety. Records of training and competencies are maintained. Safety briefings are held before complex or unusual jobs and workers are encouraged to raise concerns through formal reporting channels.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting

Final inspection of cleared property and safe loading of rubbish removal vehicle

In the event of an accident or near miss, operatives must secure the area and provide first aid if trained. Incidents are reported immediately to management and recorded. Significant incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and lessons learned. Fire precautions, first aid provision and emergency vehicle access are considered during planning for each clearance job.

Monitoring and review are continuous: management conducts regular site inspections, audits and reviews of incident reports to improve controls. This policy will be reviewed annually or after any significant event, change in work practice or regulatory requirement. Outcomes of reviews are used to update risk assessments and procedures.

Implementation of this Health and Safety policy is mandatory across all operations. It reinforces our commitment to safe, responsible and compliant house clearance, rubbish removal and waste management services. The company expects full cooperation from staff, contractors and anyone working on its behalf to ensure a safe working environment for all.