Edmonton House Clearance Health & Safety Policy
This policy sets out the principles by which Edmonton House Clearance manages health, safety and welfare in all house clearance and rubbish removal operations. It is designed to align with statutory obligations and best practice for a professional rubbish company service area, covering waste handling, vehicle operations, site safety and contractor oversight. The aim is to protect staff, clients, contractors and the public while providing reliable waste clearance services.Scope and Responsibilities
The policy applies to all employees, subcontractors and temporary workers engaged in house clearance, waste clearance, bulky item removal and associated duties. Managers are responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that risk assessments, safe systems of work and appropriate training are in place. Employees must follow instructions, wear required personal protective equipment and report hazards immediately. Safety is a shared responsibility across the entire removal and rubbish collection operation.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working
Before work begins a competent person will complete a documented risk assessment for each clearance job. Assessments identify manual handling risks, potential hazardous materials, sharps, asbestos risks and environmental hazards. Control measures include mechanical aids, two-person lifts, exclusion zones and clear signage. All operatives receive instruction on the safe loading of vehicles to prevent shifting loads and reduce road hazards during transit across the rubbish company coverage area.Training and competence are a cornerstone of the policy. Staff receive induction training, periodic refreshers and job-specific instruction for handling bulky waste, electrical items, mattresses and potentially contaminated waste. Training covers safe lifting techniques, vehicle safety, incident reporting and use of PPE. Competence is verified through observation and records; only authorised staff undertake specialist tasks such as working at height or confined space entry, where applicable.
Personal protective equipment is provided as required and maintained in good condition. Typical PPE includes gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or biohazards are present. Employees are instructed to report damaged PPE and replace items promptly. Supervisors ensure PPE matches the risk controls identified in each risk assessment for the rubbish removal service region.
Vehicle, traffic and manual handling safety are emphasised. Vehicles used in waste collection and clearance are subject to pre-use checks, secure load procedures and regular maintenance. Drivers follow safe driving policies and ensure loads are covered and secure to prevent debris dispersal. Manual handling tasks are minimised using trolleys, sack trucks and hoists where possible; two-person lifts are mandatory for heavy or awkward items.
Waste segregation and environmental controls prevent contamination and reduce risk. Waste is sorted on-site where practical into recyclable, hazardous and landfill categories to comply with permitted disposal routes. Any suspected hazardous material is isolated and treated per regulatory guidance. Spill kits and containment measures are available on vehicles to manage liquid waste incidents safely across the rubbish removal service area.
An emergency response procedure is maintained to cover first aid, fire, major injury and environmental incidents. First aid supplies are available on-site and in vehicles; trained first-aiders are identified for each shift. Fire extinguishers and escape plans are present at operational sites and staff receive instruction on emergency communications and evacuation. Incidents are recorded, investigated and lessons learned are integrated into revised procedures.
Contractor and visitor management is controlled to maintain safe operations. Subcontractors must demonstrate suitable health and safety standards, insurance and competence before appointment. Visitors and clients accessing operational areas are briefed on hazards and supervised where necessary. Access control and clear boundaries are maintained during clearances to protect members of the public and preserve evidence when dealing with sensitive waste.
Monitoring, audit and continual improvement ensure the policy remains effective. Regular inspections, toolbox talks and audits assess compliance with procedures and local waste handling expectations. Non-conformances trigger corrective actions. Performance indicators include incident rates, near-miss reports and audit outcomes. Management reviews this policy annually or when operational changes occur to ensure continual improvement in health and safety for rubbish collection and house clearance services.
Record keeping and legal compliance are essential. Records of risk assessments, training, vehicle maintenance, incident reports and waste transfer documentation are retained in accordance with regulatory requirements. The organisation commits to cooperating with enforcement authorities and to adopting relevant codes of practice. This policy is issued as the formal statement of intent for the safe delivery of waste and rubbish removal services across the company’s service area.
Summary of key controls:
- Risk assessment prior to each job
- PPE and training for all operatives
- Vehicle safety and secure loading procedures
- Waste segregation and environmental controls
- Emergency response and incident reporting