Hammersmith Cleaners Health and Safety Policy

Hammersmith Cleaners is committed to providing professional cleaning services in a way that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks across all properties and environments where our services are delivered.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The primary aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, minimise hazards associated with cleaning activities, and promote a positive safety culture across the company. We will continuously review and improve our systems to ensure that health and safety considerations are fully integrated into our operational planning and day-to-day cleaning work.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Hammersmith Cleaners has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources, equipment, training, and supervision are provided. Management will:

Set clear health and safety objectives and review performance regularly. Ensure risk assessments are in place for all relevant tasks, including general cleaning, deep cleaning, and specialist work. Provide appropriate cleaning equipment, products, and personal protective equipment that are safe and suitable for their intended use. Maintain a system for reporting, recording, and investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses. Review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or applicable health and safety requirements.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must:

Follow company procedures, training, and safe systems of work at all times. Use cleaning chemicals, machinery, and equipment only as instructed and report defects immediately. Wear the required personal protective equipment and maintain it in good condition. Keep work areas tidy, with attention to preventing slips, trips, and falls. Report accidents, near misses, or potential hazards to their supervisor without delay. Cooperate with any investigation, audit, or review related to health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Hammersmith Cleaners will carry out and maintain risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with cleaning work. These assessments will consider factors such as manual handling, use of chemicals, work at height, use of machinery, lone working, and cleaning in occupied premises.

Safe working procedures will be developed from these assessments and communicated to staff through training, supervision, and written guidance. Employees must always follow these procedures and raise any concerns if they believe a task cannot be carried out safely.

Use of Cleaning Chemicals and Hazardous Substances

Cleaning chemicals will be selected, stored, and used in accordance with their safety data information and company procedures. We will:

Ensure that hazardous substances are clearly labelled and stored securely. Provide relevant information on the safe use, handling, and disposal of products. Instruct staff never to mix chemicals and to use only approved products for each task. Supply suitable gloves, eye protection, or other personal protective equipment where necessary. Ensure that ventilation is considered when using substances that may produce vapours or strong odours.

Manual Handling and Equipment Safety

Many cleaning tasks involve manual handling of equipment, waste, or furniture. Hammersmith Cleaners will reduce manual handling risks by providing lightweight tools where possible, using trolleys or wheeled equipment, and arranging furniture movement in a controlled way.

Staff will receive guidance on correct lifting and carrying techniques and must not attempt to move items that are too heavy or awkward without assistance. All cleaning machinery and electrical equipment will be maintained in safe working order, checked regularly, and taken out of service if defects are found.

Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips and trips are a particular risk in cleaning operations, especially on wet or recently polished floors. To minimise such risks, we will:

Use appropriate warning signs and barriers when floors are wet or being treated. Plan work to reduce the need for trailing leads and obstructions. Ensure spillages are cleaned promptly and thoroughly. Encourage good housekeeping, including safe storage of tools, materials, and waste.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Hammersmith Cleaners will ensure that all staff receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their role. Training will cover general health and safety responsibilities, safe use of equipment, handling of chemicals, emergency procedures, and any specific hazards associated with the properties they service.

Supervisors will monitor working practices to ensure that training is understood and applied. Additional support or refresher training will be provided where needed or following any incident or change in procedures.

Working on Client Premises

Our teams frequently work in client homes, offices, and other buildings. When operating in such environments, staff must respect local rules and procedures and take particular care to protect clients, occupants, and visitors from harm.

Cleaning activities will be planned to minimise disruption and to keep walkways, entrances, and emergency exits clear. Staff will maintain professional conduct at all times and remain alert to any site-specific risks such as delicate surfaces, security systems, or vulnerable persons on the premises.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

Hammersmith Cleaners will ensure that employees are familiar with emergency arrangements, including fire procedures and evacuation routes, for each site where they regularly work. Staff must comply with any site-specific emergency instructions provided by clients.

Access to first aid equipment or facilities will be arranged as far as reasonably practicable, and all accidents or incidents requiring first aid will be reported and recorded. Any serious incident will be investigated so that corrective actions can be identified and implemented.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

We will monitor health and safety performance through regular site checks, incident reviews, feedback from staff and clients, and periodic audits. Findings will be used to improve procedures, training, and equipment.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, or the nature of the cleaning services we provide. Hammersmith Cleaners is committed to continually improving our health and safety standards to protect everyone who may be affected by our work.