Health and Safety Policy for Haringey Cleaners

Haringey Cleaners is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, visitors, and clients. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing safety risks associated with our cleaning services in homes, offices, and commercial premises. Our aim is to prevent accidents, work-related ill health, and damage to property, while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and professionalism.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The management of Haringey Cleaners accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and will provide the leadership and resources necessary to meet this commitment. Our objectives are to:

Identify, assess, and control risks arising from our cleaning activities.

Comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Provide information, instruction, and training to enable staff to work safely and competently.

Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation.

Continually improve our health and safety performance through monitoring and review.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, ensuring safe systems of work, and allocating resources for health and safety. This includes approving risk assessments, providing appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment, and addressing any safety concerns raised by staff or clients.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day health and safety management on cleaning assignments. They must ensure staff follow agreed procedures, use equipment correctly, report hazards promptly, and cooperate with any investigation into incidents or near misses.

Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow training and instructions, use protective equipment as provided, report hazards, and refrain from interfering with or misusing anything provided for safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Haringey Cleaners conducts suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our cleaning tasks, including regular and one-off work in residential and commercial properties. These risk assessments consider slip and trip hazards, manual handling, working at height for reachable areas such as low-level windows, chemical use, electrical equipment, and any site-specific risks identified at client premises.

Findings from risk assessments are communicated to staff and used to create clear safe systems of work. Staff are expected to follow these procedures at all times, adapt to specific site conditions where necessary, and seek guidance from management if in doubt.

Use of Cleaning Chemicals

We manage cleaning chemicals in accordance with product safety data and applicable regulations. Only approved substances are used, and they are stored, handled, diluted, and disposed of in line with manufacturer instructions. Staff receive training on the safe use of cleaning products, including potential health effects, appropriate ventilation, and what to do in the event of spills or accidental contact.

Where possible, we choose products that are effective yet reduce risks to health and the environment. Staff must never mix chemicals or transfer them into unlabelled containers. Any concerns about reactions, fumes, or client sensitivities must be reported immediately.

Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, and Maintenance

Haringey Cleaners provides suitable tools and equipment for all cleaning tasks, including vacuum cleaners, mops, cloths, and any specialist machinery agreed with clients. All equipment is maintained, checked regularly, and removed from service if found defective.

Personal protective equipment is issued according to the risk assessment and may include gloves, masks, eye protection, and appropriate footwear. Staff are responsible for using PPE as instructed, keeping it in good condition, and requesting replacements when items are worn or damaged.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Many cleaning tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling equipment and materials. To reduce the risk of injury, we assess manual handling activities and train staff in safe techniques, such as using correct posture, avoiding twisting, and keeping loads to a manageable weight. Where possible, equipment is selected to minimise strain, and staff are encouraged to report any discomfort or potential hazards before injuries develop.

Slips, Trips, Falls, and Site Safety

Slips and trips are a significant risk in cleaning work, particularly when floors are wet or cluttered. Our procedures include using warning signs when floors are wet, cleaning in sections where feasible, and ensuring cables, equipment, and materials are kept tidy and out of walkways. Staff should assess each site on arrival, note any uneven surfaces or obstacles, and take reasonable steps to minimise risk for themselves, building users, and clients.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All staff receive induction training covering our health and safety policy, standard operating procedures, emergency arrangements, chemical safety, and safe use of equipment. Further task-specific training is provided where necessary, and refresher training is arranged periodically or following changes in work practices.

Supervision is proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of staff. New or inexperienced employees may work under closer supervision until they demonstrate competence in safe working methods.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to management, recorded, and investigated as appropriate. We use this information to identify trends, improve controls, and prevent recurrence. Staff are instructed on what to do in the event of fire, medical emergencies, chemical spills, or other incidents while working at client premises, including how to raise the alarm and when to cease work if conditions become unsafe.

Consultation, Communication, and Review

Haringey Cleaners encourages open communication about health and safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggestions, or observations with their supervisor or management. We are committed to listening to staff feedback and considering it when updating procedures and risk assessments.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, technology, or relevant legislation. Updated versions will be communicated to all staff, and older versions will be withdrawn from use. By working together, we aim to ensure that every cleaning assignment is carried out safely, responsibly, and with respect for the wellbeing of everyone involved.