Health and Safety Policy for Cleaners Highbury
Cleaners Highbury is committed to providing professional cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors, and members of the public. We aim to maintain high standards of cleanliness while ensuring that all work is carried out safely, responsibly, and in compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and guidance.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health, and to continually improve our health and safety performance. We seek to identify and control hazards associated with cleaning activities in domestic and commercial environments, including where services are delivered at client premises.
We will regularly review this policy to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and aligned with best practice in the cleaning industry.
Management Responsibilities
Senior management at Cleaners Highbury holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes providing appropriate resources, setting standards, and ensuring safe systems of work are developed, implemented, and maintained.
Management will:
Ensure that risk assessments are carried out for all significant tasks and that appropriate control measures are introduced and reviewed as necessary.
Provide suitable training, information, and instruction to all employees so that they understand how to work safely and protect their own health and that of others.
Supply and maintain suitable equipment, tools, and cleaning materials in safe working condition.
Monitor health and safety performance, investigate incidents and near misses, and take corrective action where required.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage feedback to improve working practices.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and contractor working on behalf of Cleaners Highbury has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their work.
All cleaning staff are required to:
Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and training provided by Cleaners Highbury.
Use equipment, tools, and cleaning products only for their intended purpose and in accordance with manufacturer instructions and safety data.
Wear personal protective equipment as required for the task and keep it in good condition.
Immediately report any hazards, defects, accidents, near misses, or health concerns to their supervisor or manager.
Refrain from engaging in unsafe behaviour such as running, taking shortcuts, or bypassing safety measures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Cleaners Highbury conducts risk assessments for routine and non-routine cleaning tasks. These assessments identify potential hazards, such as slips and trips, manual handling, electrical equipment, use of chemicals, and working alone at client premises.
Based on these assessments, we put in place control measures and safe working procedures, which may include:
Using warning signs and barriers when floors are wet or when cleaning is in progress.
Planning tasks to avoid unnecessary manual handling and using equipment such as mops, trolleys, and vacuum cleaners correctly.
Ensuring that all electrical equipment used for cleaning is maintained, inspected, and used safely.
Implementing lone working precautions, such as agreed check-in procedures, when staff work at client premises without direct supervision.
Use of Cleaning Chemicals
The safe use, handling, and storage of cleaning chemicals is critical for protecting cleaners, clients, and the environment. Cleaners Highbury uses cleaning agents that are appropriate for professional use and that are assessed for risks.
We will:
Follow product safety data and control of substances guidelines to minimise exposure to hazardous substances.
Provide training so that staff understand how to dilute, apply, store, and dispose of chemicals safely.
Ensure chemicals are clearly labelled and kept in secure containers away from children, pets, food, and heat sources.
Prohibit the mixing of chemicals unless explicitly directed by manufacturer guidance, and ensure good ventilation where chemical products are used.
Require the use of suitable personal protective equipment where there is a risk of splashes, contact, or inhalation.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Many cleaning tasks involve lifting, carrying, reaching, or repetitive movements. To reduce the risk of strains and injuries, Cleaners Highbury promotes safe manual handling and ergonomic working methods.
We will:
Train staff in correct lifting techniques and safer ways of moving equipment and materials.
Encourage the use of trolleys, carts, and other handling aids wherever practical.
Advise staff to work at comfortable heights, avoid overreaching, and take short breaks from repetitive tasks when possible.
Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention
Cleaners Highbury recognises that wet floors, trailing cables, and obstacles can create significant slip and trip hazards. To minimise these risks, staff will:
Use appropriate signage when floors are wet or when cleaning is in progress.
Keep walkways clear of equipment, bags, and cables as far as reasonably practicable.
Promptly clean up spillages and ensure floors are left in a safe condition.
Wear suitable, non-slip footwear appropriate for cleaning tasks.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, Cleaners Highbury will provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and protective clothing appropriate to the task.
Employees are responsible for using PPE correctly, checking it before use, and reporting any damage or defects so that it can be replaced.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous incidents must be reported as soon as possible to management. Cleaners Highbury will record such incidents, investigate the causes, and take appropriate action to prevent recurrence.
Staff working on client premises must familiarise themselves with the client’s emergency procedures, including fire exits, assembly points, and first aid arrangements. Cleaners Highbury staff will cooperate with any site-specific rules to ensure a coordinated response in the event of an emergency.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Cleaners Highbury provides induction training for all new staff, covering core health and safety responsibilities, safe use of equipment, and safe handling of cleaning products. Ongoing refresher training is provided when procedures change or when new equipment or chemicals are introduced.
Supervisors monitor compliance with health and safety procedures and provide guidance and support to staff as needed.
Policy Review
This Health and Safety Policy is regularly reviewed and updated when required to reflect changes in legislation, operational practices, or identified risks. Cleaners Highbury is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of health and safety, and welcomes constructive suggestions from employees and clients on how to enhance safe working arrangements.
