Stockwell Carpet Cleaners Health and Safety Policy
Stockwell Carpet Cleaners is committed to providing professional carpet, upholstery and hard floor cleaning services in a safe, responsible and legally compliant manner. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to protecting our employees, subcontractors, clients and members of the public from risks that may arise from our work activities.
The company aims to continually improve its health and safety performance and to integrate safe working practices into every aspect of our cleaning operations, from initial inspection and preparation through to completion of each job and disposal of waste.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Stockwell Carpet Cleaners accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the business. Management will ensure that adequate resources, training, supervision and equipment are provided to enable work to be carried out safely and in line with current legislation and industry best practice.
Management duties include assessing risks associated with cleaning tasks, selecting appropriate equipment and cleaning solutions, ensuring machinery is properly maintained, and reviewing safe systems of work at regular intervals. Management also ensures that this policy is communicated to all staff and is available to clients upon request.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and subcontractors working on behalf of Stockwell Carpet Cleaners are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow all training, instructions and company procedures, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, incidents or near misses immediately to management.
Employees must never interfere with or misuse any safety equipment, personal protective equipment or warning signs provided by the company. Where a task appears unsafe or outside the scope of training, the work must be paused and advice sought from a supervisor or manager before continuing.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before beginning any cleaning work, an assessment of potential risks will be carried out. This may include consideration of slips and trips, manual handling, electrical hazards, exposure to cleaning chemicals, working in occupied spaces and access to and from the work area.
Tasks will be planned so that risks are either removed or controlled to an acceptable level. This may involve using warning signs, restricting access to the work area, choosing less hazardous products, using mechanical aids for lifting, and scheduling work to reduce disruption to occupants.
Method statements and safe systems of work are developed for typical services such as hot water extraction, low moisture carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning and hard floor maintenance. Staff are required to follow these agreed methods at all times.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
Stockwell Carpet Cleaners uses a range of professional cleaning products including detergents, pre-sprays, spot removers and disinfectants. All chemicals are sourced from reputable suppliers and are used strictly in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety data sheets.
Hazardous substances are assessed, and appropriate control measures are implemented including correct dilution, safe storage, clear labelling and the use of personal protective equipment where required. Staff receive training in the safe handling and use of chemicals, including what to do in the event of accidental contact, ingestion or inhalation.
Only authorised personnel may decant or mix chemicals. Containers must never be used for any purpose other than that for which they were supplied and must not be left unattended in public areas.
Equipment Safety and Electrical Controls
All machinery used in the provision of our cleaning services, such as carpet extraction machines, rotary machines, vacuum cleaners and portable heaters, is regularly inspected, maintained and tested in line with manufacturer recommendations and legal requirements.
Electrical equipment is visually checked before each use for signs of damage to plugs, cables and casings. Damaged equipment is removed from service immediately and reported to management. Extension leads are used sparingly and positioned to avoid trip hazards. Equipment is never operated in standing water or in conditions that may present electrical danger.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Manual handling tasks, including lifting and moving machines, hoses, tools and containers of water or chemicals, are assessed to reduce the risk of strain and injury. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and are encouraged to use trolleys, carry straps or team lifting where appropriate.
Where heavy items such as furniture need to be moved to access carpets or flooring, this will only be done if it is safe to do so and with consent from the client. Heavy or delicate items may be left in place if moving them would create an unacceptable risk.
Control of Slips, Trips and Falls
Wet floors, hoses and cables can present slip and trip hazards during cleaning work. Stockwell Carpet Cleaners minimises these risks by using clear warning signs, keeping hoses and cables as orderly as possible, and restricting access to work areas whenever necessary.
Staff are instructed to clean up spillages promptly, maintain good housekeeping and ensure that walkways and exits are kept clear at all times. Appropriate footwear with slip-resistant soles is encouraged for all staff working on site.
Protection of Clients and the Public
When working in homes, offices or communal areas, special care is taken to protect clients, their families, employees and visitors. Work areas are clearly identified, and where necessary, access is restricted while cleaning is in progress and until surfaces are dry and safe to walk on.
Children and pets should be kept away from machinery and chemicals. Our team will cooperate with clients to agree safe work areas, timings and any additional precautions required for vulnerable individuals or busy environments.
Personal Protective Equipment
Appropriate personal protective equipment is provided where required by risk assessments. This may include gloves, eye protection, masks or respirators, knee pads and protective clothing. Staff must use the equipment as instructed and report any defects or losses.
Personal protective equipment is considered a last line of defence and does not replace the need for safe systems of work, risk reduction and careful planning.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during cleaning activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. Details are recorded and investigated to identify causes and prevent recurrence. First aid arrangements are maintained in line with the size and nature of the business.
Staff are briefed on emergency procedures including fire safety, evacuation routes in the buildings where they work, and how to respond to chemical spills or accidental damage to client property.
Training, Supervision and Policy Review
Stockwell Carpet Cleaners provides suitable induction and ongoing training to ensure that all staff understand their health and safety responsibilities, know how to use equipment safely and are aware of the specific hazards associated with carpet and floor cleaning work.
Supervision is provided, particularly for new or less experienced staff, to ensure that safe working practices are followed consistently. This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, equipment or the nature of our services.
By following this policy and working together, Stockwell Carpet Cleaners aims to deliver high quality cleaning services while maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for everyone involved.
