Cleaners Lambeth Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures followed by Cleaners Lambeth to protect the wellbeing of our employees, contractors, clients, visitors and members of the public. Our goal is to deliver high quality cleaning services while maintaining a safe and healthy working environment at all times.
Policy Statement
Cleaners Lambeth is committed to preventing accidents, injuries and work-related ill health. We comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and we continuously review and improve our arrangements as our services develop.
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Management, supervisors, cleaners, contractors and clients are all expected to contribute to the safe planning and delivery of cleaning work.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Cleaners Lambeth will:
Ensure that appropriate health and safety procedures are developed, implemented and reviewed regularly. Provide suitable resources to maintain safe equipment, materials and working environments. Assess risks associated with our cleaning activities and implement effective control measures. Make sure health and safety information is communicated clearly to all workers and contractors. Monitor performance, investigate incidents, and take corrective action where required.
Employee and Contractor Responsibilities
All cleaners, supervisors and contractors working on behalf of Cleaners Lambeth must:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Follow all training, instructions and safe systems of work provided. Use personal protective equipment correctly and keep it in good condition. Report hazards, accidents, near misses, faulty equipment and unsafe conditions promptly to their manager or supervisor. Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our cleaning tasks, paying particular attention to hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, use of chemicals, work at height, electrical equipment and lone working. These assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change in working practices, equipment or locations.
From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work and method statements, which are communicated to all relevant staff. Employees are expected to follow these procedures at all times.
Training, Supervision and Competence
Cleaners Lambeth provides appropriate health and safety training to all new staff as part of their induction, and ongoing refresher training as required. This includes:
Safe use, storage and disposal of cleaning products and chemicals. Manual handling techniques to reduce the risk of strain or injury. Correct use of personal protective equipment. Fire safety awareness and emergency procedures. Safe operation of cleaning machinery and equipment.
Supervisors ensure that staff are competent to perform their tasks safely and provide additional guidance where needed.
Use of Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
We manage cleaning chemicals and other hazardous substances in line with manufacturer instructions and applicable safety regulations. Safety data sheets are obtained and kept available for all relevant products.
Our procedures for chemical safety include:
Using only authorised products and approved dilutions. Labelling and storing chemicals securely and away from food or personal items. Providing appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves or eye protection, where necessary. Ensuring adequate ventilation where chemicals are in use. Never mixing products unless clearly instructed by the manufacturer.
Cleaning Equipment and Machinery
All equipment and machinery used by Cleaners Lambeth is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition. Regular inspections are carried out, and defective equipment is taken out of use immediately until repaired or replaced.
Employees are trained in the safe operation of vacuum cleaners, floor machines and any specialist tools they are required to use. Cables are routed to minimise trip hazards, and equipment is switched off and unplugged when not in use.
Slips, Trips and Housekeeping
We recognise that wet floors, trailing cables and poor housekeeping are major causes of accidents. Our cleaners are instructed to:
Display warning signs where floors are wet or being cleaned. Use suitable methods and timings for floor cleaning to reduce risk to building users. Keep work areas tidy and remove waste promptly. Ensure access routes, doorways and fire exits remain clear at all times.
Manual Handling and Work at Height
Where tasks involve lifting, carrying or moving items, staff are trained to use safe manual handling techniques and to request assistance or mechanical aids when required. Heavy or bulky items must not be moved without appropriate help.
Work at height is avoided wherever possible. Where unavoidable, only suitable equipment such as stable steps or approved platforms may be used, and only by staff trained in their safe use.
Lone Working and Personal Security
Some cleaning work may be carried out outside normal hours or in quiet buildings. To safeguard lone workers, Cleaners Lambeth assesses the risks associated with each contract and implements reasonable measures, which may include check-in procedures, restricted tasks when alone, and clear guidance on securing premises.
Staff are advised to remain alert to their surroundings, avoid confrontations and report any concerns about personal security without delay.
Health, Welfare and Occupational Ill Health
We aim to prevent work-related ill health by controlling exposure to hazardous substances, reducing repetitive or strenuous tasks and providing suitable equipment. Staff are encouraged to report any health issues that may be affected by their work, so that reasonable adjustments can be considered.
Cleaners Lambeth promotes good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, safe handling of waste and appropriate use of protective gloves where necessary.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to a manager or supervisor as soon as possible. Details are recorded and investigated to identify causes and prevent recurrence.
Staff receive guidance on emergency procedures relevant to the sites they work in, including fire alarms, evacuation routes, assembly points and the locations of first aid materials. In the event of a serious incident, emergency services must be contacted without delay.
Client Responsibilities and Cooperation
We expect our clients to provide a safe environment in which our staff can work. This includes informing us of any known hazards on site, maintaining safe access and egress, and cooperating with our risk control measures.
Cleaners Lambeth works collaboratively with clients to agree appropriate cleaning schedules, security arrangements and site rules to support the safety of everyone present.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Performance in health and safety is monitored through inspections, audits, incident reports and feedback from staff and clients. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance and working practices.
By implementing this Health and Safety Policy, Cleaners Lambeth seeks to ensure that safe working practices are an integral part of every cleaning task we carry out.