Cleaners Putney Health and Safety Policy
Cleaners Putney is committed to providing safe and healthy working conditions for our employees, contractors, clients and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, injuries and ill health while delivering professional cleaning services.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, to identify and control risks associated with cleaning tasks, and to continually improve our health and safety performance. We aim to ensure that every cleaning job is planned and carried out with safety as a core priority.
We recognise our duty of care to our staff and clients and expect everyone who works with us to share our commitment to safe and responsible working practices.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Cleaners Putney is responsible for implementing and maintaining this Health and Safety Policy. This includes providing appropriate resources, instruction, training and supervision so that all cleaning work can be performed safely and in accordance with relevant health and safety requirements.
Managers will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, safe systems of work are developed and communicated, and that any necessary personal protective equipment is supplied and maintained. Management will review incident reports, monitor performance and update procedures when necessary to reduce risks.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and contractor working with Cleaners Putney has a responsibility to care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow all safety instructions and training, use equipment correctly and report any hazards, near misses, or incidents as soon as possible.
Employees must never misuse safety equipment, cleaning chemicals or machinery, and must immediately inform a supervisor if they believe work conditions are unsafe or if they are unsure about how to perform a task safely.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Before commencing cleaning tasks, we carry out risk assessments that take into account the nature of the premises, the type of work required, the substances used and any specific client requirements. From these assessments we create safe systems of work that outline how tasks should be performed to minimise risk.
These systems cover activities such as floor cleaning, high and low level dusting, washroom cleaning, kitchen and food preparation area cleaning, rubbish removal and any specialist tasks that may require additional controls or equipment.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
Cleaning products are selected and used with safety and effectiveness in mind. All chemicals are stored, handled and used in accordance with their safety data sheets and applicable control of substances guidance.
Staff are trained to dilute, label and apply chemicals correctly, to avoid mixing incompatible substances and to use appropriate personal protective equipment. Where possible, we choose low hazard and environmentally considerate products, provided that cleaning standards and safety requirements are maintained.
Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
All cleaning equipment such as vacuums, floor machines, mops and tools must be used only by trained personnel. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if faults are identified, until it can be repaired or replaced.
Personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, eye protection, footwear and other items where required, is provided based on risk assessment findings. Employees must wear and maintain this equipment as instructed and report any defects immediately so that replacements can be arranged.
Working on Client Premises
When operating on client premises, we respect the client’s own health and safety arrangements and site rules. Staff must familiarise themselves with emergency exits, fire procedures and any restricted areas before starting work.
We plan cleaning activities to minimise risk to building occupants and visitors, for example by using warning signs, cordoning off wet floors, and scheduling higher risk tasks when premises are quieter, whenever reasonably practicable.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Many cleaning tasks involve manual handling, including moving equipment, supplies and waste. Cleaners Putney provides guidance and training on safe lifting techniques, pushing and pulling loads, and reducing the risk of strain and repetitive injury.
Where possible, we use trolleys, wheeled containers and other aids to reduce manual handling demands. Staff are encouraged to work at comfortable heights, take regular short breaks from repetitive tasks and report any discomfort or potential issues early.
Infection Control and Hygiene
We recognise the importance of infection control in both residential and commercial environments. Our procedures are designed to reduce the spread of germs, particularly in high-contact areas such as washrooms, kitchens, worktops, light switches and door handles.
Staff receive specific guidance on hygienic cleaning methods, the correct use of disinfectants and the safe handling and disposal of waste. Hand hygiene is emphasised, and appropriate gloves and other protective measures are used where necessary.
Training, Supervision and Communication
All employees receive induction training on health and safety, followed by task-specific instruction relevant to their role. Refresher training is provided when procedures change, new equipment or products are introduced, or when performance monitoring indicates a need.
Supervisors are responsible for checking that safety procedures are followed and that staff understand their responsibilities. We encourage open communication about health and safety concerns and treat all reports seriously, without criticism of those who raise genuine issues or make honest mistakes.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly to a supervisor or manager. We record and review these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions, such as modifying procedures, improving training or enhancing protective measures.
Staff are instructed on what to do in emergency situations, including fire, serious injury, chemical spills or other unexpected events. This includes knowing how to evacuate safely, raise the alarm and contact the appropriate emergency services through agreed channels.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Cleaners Putney regularly reviews its Health and Safety Policy, risk assessments and working practices to ensure they remain effective and relevant to our cleaning operations. We monitor performance through inspections, feedback from staff and clients, and analysis of incident data.
Where improvements are identified, we act promptly to update procedures, provide additional training or adjust resources. Our goal is to maintain a culture in which health and safety is integrated into everyday work, supporting both high cleaning standards and the wellbeing of everyone involved in our services.