Cleaners Barnet Health and Safety Policy
Cleaners Barnet is committed to providing professional cleaning services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with our cleaning activities and to continually improving our performance.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health, and damage to property arising from our cleaning operations. We will achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing robust control measures. Health and safety considerations are an integral part of our planning, decision-making, and day-to-day operations across our service areas.
Senior management is responsible for ensuring that adequate resources, equipment, and training are provided so that health and safety standards are maintained and improved over time.
Management Responsibilities
Management will lead by example in promoting a positive health and safety culture. This includes:
Ensuring that risk assessments for cleaning tasks are completed, recorded, and regularly reviewed. Providing safe systems of work, clear instructions, and suitable supervision for all employees. Selecting and maintaining safe equipment, tools, and cleaning products. Monitoring health and safety performance and responding promptly to any concerns, incidents, or near misses. Ensuring that employees are competent for the tasks they undertake and receive appropriate training and information.
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 work. All cleaners and support staff must:
Follow the training, instructions, and safe working procedures provided. Use equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Co-operate with management in implementing this policy and all associated procedures. Report hazards, accidents, incidents, and near misses at the earliest opportunity. Refrain from any reckless or unsafe behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We carry out risk assessments for all significant cleaning activities, including routine work, one-off deep cleans, and specialist tasks. These assessments consider factors such as work environment, access and egress, lone working, manual handling, use of chemicals, and use of machinery.
Safe working practices will be developed based on these assessments and will be communicated to staff during induction and ongoing training. Where required, written method statements will be provided to clarify how specific tasks must be carried out safely.
Use of Chemicals and Cleaning Products
We recognise the potential risks associated with cleaning chemicals and products. All substances are assessed and managed in line with relevant safety data. To minimise risk, we will:
Use products that are appropriate for the task and, where possible, opt for less hazardous alternatives. Ensure containers are properly labelled and stored securely when not in use. Provide safety information and instructions to staff on correct dilution, application, and disposal. Prohibit decanting chemicals into unlabelled containers. Ensure adequate ventilation when using products that may release vapours or aerosols.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment will be provided where required by risk assessment. This may include gloves, eye protection, masks, aprons, and non-slip footwear. Employees must wear the PPE provided, maintain it in good condition, and report any loss or damage so that it can be replaced without delay.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling equipment and materials will be assessed and controlled to reduce the risk of injury. We will:
Provide handling aids or trolleys where appropriate. Train staff in correct lifting techniques and safe handling practices. Avoid unnecessary manual handling by improving planning and task design.
All machinery and equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines, and other tools, will be selected and maintained to ensure safe operation. Employees will receive training before using specialist equipment and must not bypass safety features.
Slips, Trips, Falls and Site Safety
We recognise that wet floors, cables, and equipment can create slip and trip hazards in cleaning environments. To manage these risks, we will:
Use warning signs to alert people to wet floors or cleaning in progress. Keep walkways clear of equipment, materials, and waste. Arrange work so that disruption to normal use of the premises is minimised. Ensure adequate lighting is available in work areas.
Lone Working and Out-of-Hours Cleaning
Some cleaning tasks may take place outside normal business hours or where staff are working alone. Additional precautions will be taken in these situations, including clear communication procedures, periodic check-ins where appropriate, and ensuring safe access and egress at all times.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to provide appropriate support, investigate the causes, and prevent recurrence.
Employees will be informed of site-specific emergency procedures, including fire evacuation arrangements, first aid facilities, and any building-specific rules. Staff must follow these procedures immediately in an emergency and co-operate with any incident investigations.
Training, Information and Supervision
Cleaners Barnet provides appropriate induction and ongoing training to ensure all staff understand their responsibilities and can carry out their duties safely. This may include training on safe use of chemicals, equipment operation, manual handling, hazard awareness, and emergency procedures.
Supervision levels will be set according to the experience of the employee and the nature of the task. Refresher training will be provided when necessary or when new methods, equipment, or products are introduced.
Consultation and Continual Improvement
We encourage employees to raise health and safety concerns and to suggest improvements. Feedback will be considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into our procedures. This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, and our operational needs, ensuring that our cleaning services remain safe and reliable throughout our service area.