Health & Safety Policy for House Clearance Euston

Purpose: This policy sets out the approach of our house clearance operation to protect employees, contractors and members of the public during clearance and rubbish removal work in our service area. The policy applies to all processes associated with domestic and commercial house clearances, including handling bulky waste, hazardous items, and vehicle-based rubbish removal activities.

Our commitment is to maintain a safe workplace by following recognised risk control principles. We aim to prevent accidents and occupational ill health by assessing hazards, implementing controls and ensuring that cleared properties are left in a safe condition. The principles below reflect responsibilities for every team member engaged in Euston house clearance and allied services.

Scope: This policy covers planning, on-site operations, transport of waste, storage and disposal. It is relevant to our waste collection teams, drivers, subcontractors and any visitors who enter a work site. The policy also describes expectations for personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, and the management of potentially hazardous materials encountered during rubbish collection tasks.

Responsibilities

Management will ensure that suitable risk assessments are carried out prior to work commencement, and that safe systems of work are communicated clearly. Supervisors must make sure staff follow procedures, use PPE and report hazards. Every employee has a duty to work safely and to report near misses, unsafe conditions or incidents without delay.

Risk assessment and planning

Before any house clearance or rubbish removal in the service area, a documented assessment will identify specific risks such as sharps, asbestos-containing materials, contaminated waste, biohazards or structural hazards. Controls will include exclusion zones, mechanical aids, and task briefs that reduce manual handling risks and avoid unnecessary exposure.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Appropriate PPE must be provided and worn for the task. This may include gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, respiratory protection and steel-toe footwear. PPE selection will match the assessed risk and will be maintained in a serviceable condition. Staff are trained in proper use and limitations of PPE for house clearance and rubbish removal jobs.

Manual handling controls are central to this policy. Teams are instructed to use trolleys, sack trucks, lifting straps and mechanical lifts where possible to prevent back and soft-tissue injuries. When lifting is unavoidable, staff should follow safe lifting techniques, work in teams for heavy or awkward loads and seek supervisor assistance for any load that feels beyond safe limits.

Hazardous waste and segregation: Items such as batteries, solvents, paints, asbestos-suspect materials and sharps require special handling. Such materials will be segregated and secured on site following legal requirements and transported only by authorised handlers to appropriate disposal facilities. Any suspicion of hazardous substances triggers an immediate work stop and specialist advice.

Vehicle safety and traffic management for rubbish company operations are essential. Vehicles must be roadworthy and loaded safely to prevent shifting loads. On-site vehicle movements must be controlled using banksmen where visibility is limited, and clear communication methods are maintained between drivers and crew to minimise collision risks.

Training and competence: All team members will receive induction training that covers this policy, manual handling, PPE, emergency procedures and site-specific risks. Refresher training and task-specific instruction will be provided regularly. Competence records will be kept to ensure every operative is competent for the duties they perform during house clearances and rubbish removal operations.

Emergency arrangements include first aid provision, clear access for emergency services and an incident reporting protocol. Accidents and near misses will be recorded, investigated and analysed to prevent recurrence. Lessons learned will lead to updates in procedures, equipment or training and are communicated across the workforce.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: Health and safety performance will be monitored through inspections, toolbox talks, and regular audits. Key performance indicators include incident rates, compliance with PPE usage and evidence of risk assessment implementation. This policy will be reviewed at least annually or sooner after a significant incident or change in operations.

Our rubbish removal and house clearance teams are expected to maintain high standards of personal and site housekeeping to reduce slips, trips and other preventable injuries. Work areas should be kept tidy, walkways clear and waste stored safely to prevent hazards to staff and the public.

Implementation: The policy is implemented through documented procedures, supervisor oversight and employee engagement. Contractors engaged for specialist tasks must provide evidence of their own safety arrangements and coordinate with our teams to ensure consistent controls across all phases of a clearance project.

By following this Health & Safety policy, our house clearance services in the area will deliver safe, compliant and professional rubbish clearance and removal. Regular communication, effective supervision and a culture that encourages hazard reporting are key to protecting people and property during every clearance activity.