Cleaners Brixton Health and Safety Policy
Cleaners Brixton is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. Our aim is to prevent accidents, protect health and provide a safe and hygienic working environment at all times.
This policy applies to all employees, contractors and any person engaged to work on behalf of Cleaners Brixton across all locations where we provide cleaning services.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
Cleaners Brixton accepts overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements. Management is responsible for providing clear instructions, appropriate training and suitable equipment to enable work to be carried out safely and efficiently.
Supervisors are responsible for monitoring day-to-day activities, ensuring that safe systems of work are followed and that any issues are reported and addressed promptly.
All employees have a duty to:
Follow all safety instructions and procedures provided.
Use equipment and materials correctly and for their intended purpose.
Report hazards, defects, accidents, incidents and near misses without delay.
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Cleaners Brixton conducts regular risk assessments for cleaning tasks, locations and equipment. These assessments identify potential hazards and define control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work and method statements are developed where appropriate, taking into account the environment, access and egress routes, working at height, manual handling requirements and the presence of any vulnerable persons such as children, elderly people or those with reduced mobility.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change in working practices, equipment, products or locations.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff receive appropriate health and safety induction training before starting work. This includes an overview of our health and safety policy, emergency procedures, correct use of equipment, safe handling of cleaning agents and personal hygiene standards.
Task-specific training is provided for activities such as safe use of machinery, manual handling techniques, working in clients premises and dealing with waste. Refresher training is delivered when necessary to maintain competence and awareness.
Supervision is provided proportionate to the level of risk and the experience of staff, with additional oversight for new employees or those undertaking unfamiliar tasks.
Chemical Safety and Control of Substances
All cleaning chemicals and substances are selected to minimise risk while delivering effective cleaning results. Products are stored, handled and used strictly in accordance with manufacturer instructions and applicable safety data information.
Containers are clearly labelled and kept secure when not in use. Staff receive training in dilution, application, ventilation requirements and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection where necessary.
We avoid unnecessary mixing of products and ensure that chemicals are never decanted into unmarked or misleading containers.
Equipment, Tools and Maintenance
Cleaners Brixton provides suitable and well-maintained equipment for all cleaning activities. This includes vacuum cleaners, floor machines, mops, buckets, cloths, ladders and any specialist tools required for particular tasks.
Equipment is inspected regularly and taken out of use immediately if defects are identified. Only trained personnel are permitted to operate machinery that presents higher levels of risk.
Electrical equipment is checked and maintained in line with relevant guidelines to reduce the risk of electric shock, fire or mechanical failure.
Personal Protective Equipment and Personal Hygiene
Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, suitable personal protective equipment is provided and must be worn as instructed. This may include gloves, masks, eye protection, safety footwear or protective clothing.
Employees are expected to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, including regular handwashing, especially after cleaning sanitary areas or handling waste.
Cleaners Brixton promotes practices that reduce the spread of infection, such as using colour-coded cloths, separate equipment for different areas and appropriate disinfection techniques.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Manual handling tasks are assessed and controlled to reduce the risk of injury. Staff are trained in correct lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling techniques, as well as the safe movement of equipment and materials.
Where possible, lighter loads, trolleys and other mechanical aids are used to minimise strain. Work is organised to reduce repetitive movements and awkward postures.
Working in Client Premises
When working in clients properties and workplaces, Cleaners Brixton respects all on-site health and safety rules and procedures. Staff are briefed on specific access arrangements, fire exits, security systems and any particular risks present at the location.
We aim to minimise disruption, maintain clear walkways and ensure that signs or barriers are used where necessary to warn of wet floors or temporary hazards created by cleaning tasks.
Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported as soon as reasonably possible. Cleaners Brixton investigates reports to identify causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Where required, details are recorded in appropriate logs. Lessons learned from incidents are communicated to staff and used to improve training, procedures and risk controls.
Emergency Procedures
Employees are familiarised with emergency arrangements for the premises where they work, including evacuation routes, assembly points and procedures for raising the alarm.
In the event of fire, serious injury, chemical spill or other emergency, staff must follow the relevant procedures, prioritising personal safety and the safety of others.
Wellbeing and Occupational Health
Cleaners Brixton recognises the importance of both physical and mental wellbeing. We aim to organise work in a way that avoids excessive fatigue, undue pressure and preventable stress.
Concerns about workloads, tasks or any health issues that may affect an employee's ability to work safely should be raised with a supervisor or manager so that appropriate support can be provided.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, relevant and up to date with current best practice and applicable requirements.
Feedback from employees and clients is welcomed and used to enhance our arrangements, strengthen risk controls and continuously improve the safety and quality of our cleaning services.
All employees and contractors working on behalf of Cleaners Brixton are required to read, understand and comply with this policy as a condition of their work.