Waltham Forest House Clearance — Health & Safety Policy

This Health & Safety policy sets out the commitment of Waltham Forest house clearance to protect staff, clients and the public while delivering house clearance and rubbish removal services. The document applies to all teams involved in property clearance, rubbish collection and waste removal work, and is designed to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety obligations. It is intended as a legal and operational framework rather than a guide or a customer-facing instruction manual.

Our core objectives are to prevent injury, reduce health risks and manage environmental impact during clearance operations. All personnel engaged in house clearance services and rubbish collection must follow safe working practices, wear required PPE and report hazards. Managers are responsible for implementing safe systems of work and ensuring that tasks such as bulky waste handling, hazardous material segregation and vehicle loading are carried out in accordance with this policy.

Scope and application

The policy covers routine and non-routine activities associated with house clearance, including attic, loft and garage clearances, furniture removal, white goods disposal and general waste removal. Rubbish removal in Waltham Forest and surrounding service areas is performed under these procedures to maintain consistent standards. This policy applies to permanent employees, contractors, and temporary workers performing clearance, transport or depot duties.

Responsibilities are allocated at every level. Senior management must ensure adequate resources for training, equipment and monitoring. Supervisors must assess risks before each job, sign off method statements and confirm that staff follow safe lifting and manual handling practices. Workers must follow instructions, use PPE, and refuse unsafe work without penalty. Records of responsibilities and delegations are maintained and periodically reviewed.

Risk assessment and safe systems

All house clearance tasks require a recorded risk assessment and an appropriate safe system of work prior to commencement. Assessments consider manual handling, asbestos risk, sharps and syringes, electrical hazards, hazardous household chemicals, slip and trip risks, and vehicle loading. Control measures include mechanical aids, team lifting, clear exclusion zones, suitable containers for hazardous materials, and vehicle load restraints.

Training and competence are mandatory for persons undertaking rubbish collection and clearance duties. Induction training covers manual handling, COSHH awareness for hazardous substances, working at height when necessary, and safe vehicle operation. Ongoing competency is assured through refresher training, toolbox talks and observed performance checks. Records of training are kept for audit and compliance.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements are specified for each task. At minimum, clearance staff must wear gloves, high-visibility clothing, and sturdy footwear. Additional PPE such as respiratory protection, eye protection or cut-resistant gloves is provided where the risk assessment indicates. PPE is maintained, replaced as needed and disposed of safely to prevent contamination.

Vehicles and equipment used for house clearance are inspected and maintained in line with statutory requirements. Drivers and loaders must ensure loads are secure, not overloaded and appropriately covered for transport. Regular checks cover lifting equipment, hand tools, waste cages and any mechanical aids to reduce manual handling and the risk of injury during transit and unloading.

Waste segregation and hazardous materials handling follow statutory guidance. Waste removal teams identify and isolate potentially hazardous items such as batteries, asbestos-containing materials, medical waste and chemical containers. Such items are documented and handled by trained staff with correct containment, labelling and disposal procedures to minimise risk to people and the environment.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting are an integral part of safety management. All incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly to supervisors and recorded. First aid arrangements are in place for all sites of operation and all staff are instructed on emergency assembly points and contact protocols for emergency services. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and introduce corrective actions.

Monitoring, auditing and continuous improvement ensure the policy is effective. Routine site inspections, management audits and periodic reviews of risk assessments are carried out. Performance indicators include incident rates, training completion and equipment inspection records. Findings are used to update procedures and improve the delivery of clearance and rubbish collection services.

Legal compliance and documentation: This policy is maintained as part of the company’s compliance framework. It references statutory obligations for safe waste transport, handling and disposal and is reviewed at least annually or when operational changes occur. All staff must be familiar with this policy and with the specific procedures relevant to their roles; adherence is mandatory and subject to review during audits.

Commitment: The company is committed to protecting health and safety while providing professional house clearance and rubbish removal services. Management will provide resources and leadership to implement this policy, and employees will uphold its principles in every clearance operation.

This policy statement is endorsed at the highest level of management and is the foundation for operational procedures, training programmes and monitoring activities used to deliver safe, lawful and efficient clearance services. It is designed to be proportionate to the risks inherent in clearing properties and transporting waste, and to reflect best practice in the rubbish collection sector.

Signed for and on behalf of the company: The policy is published internally and made available to employees and contractors. Regular reviews will ensure it remains current and effective in reducing harm and maintaining high standards for house clearance services across our service area.