Cleaners Brompton Health and Safety Policy

Cleaners Brompton is committed to providing professional cleaning services while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and the wider public. This Health and Safety policy sets out how we manage risks, promote safe working practices, and comply with applicable health and safety legislation within our cleaning operations.

Policy Objectives

The objectives of this Health and Safety policy are to prevent accidents, work-related injuries, and ill health; to identify, assess, and control workplace risks; to provide information, instruction, and training necessary for safe work; to maintain safe equipment, materials, and working environments; and to foster a positive safety culture across all cleaning activities.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Cleaners Brompton holds overall responsibility for implementing, maintaining, and regularly reviewing this Health and Safety policy. Management will ensure that adequate resources are made available for health and safety, including suitable equipment, training, supervision, and protective measures. Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that cleaning staff follow safe systems of work, report hazards and incidents, and use equipment correctly and safely.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working on behalf of Cleaners Brompton have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow training and instructions provided, use personal protective equipment correctly, report hazards, accidents, or near misses without delay, refrain from interfering with safety equipment or procedures, and cooperate with any health and safety investigations or audits.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Cleaners Brompton conducts risk assessments for cleaning tasks, sites, and equipment to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate control measures. These assessments cover, as appropriate, slips and trips, manual handling, working at height, handling cleaning chemicals, use of electrical equipment, lone working, and security risks at client premises. Outcomes of risk assessments are used to create safe systems of work and method statements that guide staff on safe procedures and precautionary measures.

Training, Information, and Supervision

We provide health and safety induction training to all new employees, including instruction on our Health and Safety policy, emergency procedures, incident reporting, and basic hazard awareness. Task-specific training is given for specialist cleaning equipment, chemical use, manual handling, and site-specific requirements. Refresher training is provided at appropriate intervals or when procedures, equipment, or legislation change. Supervisors monitor working practices and provide ongoing guidance to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained.

Safe Use of Cleaning Chemicals

Cleaning chemicals are selected, stored, and used in line with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety standards. Safety data sheets are made available for all chemical products in use. Staff are trained to read and understand labels and safety data information; use the minimum effective quantity of product; avoid mixing chemicals; ensure adequate ventilation when using products that may release vapours; and wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, eye protection, and masks where necessary. Chemical containers are stored securely, clearly labelled, and kept out of reach of unauthorised persons, especially children at domestic locations.

Equipment Safety and Maintenance

All cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines, steam cleaners, and any powered tools, is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition. Equipment is inspected regularly for damage, wear, and electrical safety issues. Defective equipment is removed from service immediately and only returned to use after repair or replacement. Staff receive training on correct operation, safe handling, and proper storage of equipment, and are instructed not to modify or misuse any item.

Manual Handling and Physical Safety

To reduce the risk of strain, sprain, or musculoskeletal injury, manual handling tasks are assessed and controlled wherever reasonably practicable. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques, use of trolleys and other aids, and how to avoid overreaching or excessive bending. Heavy or awkward items are not to be lifted by a single person where this would create unnecessary risk. Staff are encouraged to report discomfort or early signs of strain so that adjustments or additional controls can be implemented.

Control of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Many cleaning tasks involve wet or recently treated surfaces, which can increase the risk of slips. Staff are required to use appropriate signage for wet floors, clean spills promptly, keep walkways clear of equipment and trailing cables, and use non-slip footwear suitable for the work environment. Work at height, such as using steps or small ladders, is controlled through risk assessment and safe practices, including stable positioning, use of appropriate equipment, and avoidance of overreaching.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. This may include gloves, protective footwear, eye protection, masks, or other items, depending on the tasks and environment. Employees must use the equipment provided, check it for defects before use, and report any problems so that replacements can be arranged promptly. PPE is maintained, cleaned, and stored correctly to ensure continued effectiveness.

Welfare, Hygiene, and Infection Control

Cleaners Brompton recognises the importance of hygiene and infection control in both commercial and domestic settings. Staff are trained in safe handling of waste, including sharps or potentially contaminated materials where relevant, and in appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures. Hand hygiene is emphasised, and staff are encouraged to wash or sanitise hands regularly, particularly after handling waste or completing tasks in sanitary facilities. Where work involves environments with higher infection risks, additional controls such as enhanced PPE, specific disinfectants, and modified procedures are implemented.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting

Emergency procedures cover fire, medical emergencies, chemical spills, and other significant incidents that may occur during the course of cleaning work. Staff are instructed on evacuation procedures, meeting points, and how to raise the alarm. All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. Incidents are investigated to determine root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence. Records are kept in accordance with legal and company requirements.

Lone Working and Site Security

Some cleaning duties may be carried out outside normal business hours or where staff work alone. In such cases, risk assessments consider communication methods, access and exit routes, lighting, and security arrangements at the premises. Where appropriate, check-in procedures or monitoring arrangements are used. Staff are instructed to maintain awareness of their surroundings, secure entrances where necessary, and avoid placing themselves at risk in the event of confrontation or suspicious behaviour.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Cleaners Brompton monitors its health and safety performance through regular inspections, audits, incident reviews, and feedback from staff and clients. This policy and associated procedures are reviewed at regular intervals, and whenever there are significant changes to work activities, legislation, or industry best practice. Findings are used to improve systems, update training, and strengthen our overall safety culture.

Policy Communication and Acceptance

This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and made available to clients and other interested parties on request. Adherence to the policy is a condition of employment and forms part of the overall standards expected of everyone working with or for Cleaners Brompton. By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, we aim to provide a consistently safe and healthy environment for all.