Belsize Park Cleaners Health and Safety Policy
Belsize Park Cleaners is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, clients, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and strive to exceed minimum legal standards through careful planning, training, supervision, and continuous improvement.
This policy applies to all cleaning services we provide, including domestic, commercial, and end of tenancy work, and covers our teams working on client premises and at any other location where work is carried out on our behalf.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property, and to minimise risks arising from our cleaning operations. We aim to:
Identify and control hazards associated with our cleaning tasks and the environments in which we work. Provide and maintain safe systems of work, suitable equipment, and appropriate personal protective equipment. Ensure all employees are competent to carry out their duties safely through induction, training, and ongoing supervision. Promote a positive health and safety culture where concerns are raised and addressed without delay. Review and update our policy, procedures, and risk assessments regularly.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:
Ensure that adequate resources are made available to meet health and safety commitments. Develop clear procedures for safe working practices in all cleaning activities. Carry out and record risk assessments for typical cleaning tasks and specific sites where required. Ensure that all cleaning equipment, machinery, and materials are suitable, properly maintained, and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Monitor compliance with health and safety standards through regular inspections and performance reviews.
Managers and supervisors will lead by example, reinforce safe behaviour, and respond promptly to any concerns raised by staff or clients in relation to health and safety.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees, including temporary and agency staff, share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Follow all safety instructions, procedures, method statements, and training provided. Use equipment, tools, cleaning products, and protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately. Co operate with management by attending training and participating in safety briefings. Report hazards, near misses, accidents, and unsafe conditions at the earliest opportunity so that corrective action can be taken.
No employee should carry out any task for which they have not been trained or if they believe it cannot be done safely.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our usual cleaning activities, including the use of cleaning chemicals, manual handling, lone working, working at height where applicable, and work in client premises. Where necessary, site specific assessments are created for larger or more complex environments.
From these assessments, safe systems of work and method statements are developed and communicated to staff. These cover, for example:
Safe handling, dilution, and application of cleaning chemicals. Correct techniques for lifting and moving equipment and materials. Use of ladders or step stools, where permitted, in a controlled and safe manner. Procedures for securing work areas to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Safe operation of vacuum cleaners, floor machines, and other electrical equipment.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there is reason to believe they are no longer valid, such as following an incident, the introduction of new equipment, or changes to work locations or processes.
COSHH and Chemical Safety
The control of hazardous substances is a key part of our health and safety management. We obtain and retain safety data sheets for all cleaning agents used. Assessment of each product is carried out to determine appropriate controls, including storage, handling, and disposal requirements.
Employees are trained in the safe use of chemicals and must:
Follow manufacturer instructions and company procedures at all times. Use correct dilutions and never mix different cleaning agents unless specifically instructed by product information. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, or eye protection, when required. Store chemicals securely, upright, and in labelled containers, away from children and unauthorised persons.
Personal Protective Equipment
We provide suitable personal protective equipment where hazards cannot be eliminated entirely. This may include gloves, masks, eye protection, non slip footwear, and overalls or aprons, depending on the task and environment.
Employees must use PPE as instructed, keep it in good condition, and report any loss or damage so that replacements can be provided promptly. PPE is selected based on risk assessments and reviewed to ensure it remains appropriate.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Cleaning work often involves lifting and carrying equipment, moving waste bags, and handling materials. We aim to minimise manual handling risks by selecting lightweight tools, using trolleys where practical, and planning work to reduce unnecessary carrying.
Employees receive instruction on safe lifting techniques and must avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward. Mechanical aids or team lifting should be used where appropriate.
All electrical and mechanical equipment is maintained and checked regularly. Employees must visually inspect equipment before use and must not use any item that appears damaged or faulty. Only authorised staff may carry out repairs or maintenance.
Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, near misses, and incidents, however minor, must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain records of incidents to identify trends and implement corrective actions.
Employees are briefed on emergency arrangements at each site, including fire evacuation routes, assembly points, and procedures to follow in case of injury, chemical spillage, or other hazards. First aid arrangements are confirmed with each client site to ensure appropriate response is available.
Welfare, Health, and Wellbeing
We recognise our duty to protect the overall wellbeing of our workforce. We seek to schedule work reasonably, provide appropriate rest breaks where possible, and ensure access to welfare facilities at client premises or nearby locations.
Any concerns about fatigue, stress, or health conditions that may affect safety must be reported so that reasonable adjustments can be considered. We treat such information sensitively and in line with privacy obligations.
Training, Consultation, and Communication
Health and safety training begins at induction and continues on an ongoing basis. Training may cover site rules, safe use of equipment and chemicals, manual handling, emergency procedures, and any special requirements connected with particular contracts.
We encourage open communication on health and safety matters. Employees are invited to share suggestions for improving safety and to raise any concern without fear of disadvantage. Where appropriate, we consult employees before introducing significant changes to working practices or equipment.
Monitoring and Review
This Health and Safety Policy is monitored through regular workplace inspections, incident analysis, and feedback from employees and clients. It is formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes to our operations or relevant legislation.
Belsize Park Cleaners is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. By working together, management, employees, and clients can ensure that cleaning services are delivered efficiently while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved.
