Health And Safety Policy

Pimlico Cleaner Health and Safety Policy

Pimlico Cleaner is committed to providing high quality cleaning services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety in all cleaning operations, on client premises and in any associated workplaces.

Our Health and Safety Commitment

We recognise our duty to comply with relevant health and safety legislation and to adopt best practice within the cleaning industry. Our objectives are to prevent accidents, injuries, work related ill health and damage to property, and to continually improve our health and safety performance.

Health and safety is an integral part of our business planning and decision making. All levels of management are responsible for promoting a positive safety culture and for ensuring that appropriate resources are available to implement this policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

The company management is responsible for establishing and maintaining safe systems of work, providing suitable equipment, selecting safe cleaning products, and ensuring that appropriate training and supervision are in place. Management will review this policy regularly and update it when required.

Supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of safety procedures, conducting checks on work practices, ensuring staff use personal protective equipment correctly, and responding promptly to any health and safety concerns raised by employees or clients.

All employees, including cleaners, team leaders and contractors working on our behalf, are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety procedures, attend required training sessions, use equipment properly, report hazards or incidents without delay, and cooperate fully with the company in fulfilling its legal and policy obligations.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for all routine and non routine cleaning tasks. These assessments identify hazards, evaluate the level of risk, and determine appropriate control measures. They are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to work practices, equipment or cleaning products.

Written safe systems of work and method statements are prepared for key activities such as floor cleaning, use of ladders and access equipment, use of powered cleaning machinery, waste handling, and cleaning in occupied premises. Staff are briefed on these procedures and must follow them at all times.

COSHH and Use of Cleaning Chemicals

Cleaning chemicals are selected and used in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health principles. We obtain and review safety data sheets for all chemical products used by Pimlico Cleaner. COSHH assessments are carried out to determine safe handling, storage, dilution, application and disposal procedures.

Employees receive specific training on the safe use of cleaning chemicals, including labelling, decanting, correct dilutions, emergency measures, ventilation requirements, and what to do in the event of spills or accidental contact. Chemicals are stored securely, clearly labelled, and kept away from food, personal items and unauthorised persons, especially children and vulnerable people.

Personal Protective Equipment

We provide suitable personal protective equipment where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. This may include gloves, eye protection, masks or respirators, safety footwear, high visibility clothing and aprons, depending on the task and risk assessment.

Employees are instructed in the correct use, cleaning and storage of personal protective equipment and must wear it whenever it is required for a task. Damaged or defective equipment must be reported immediately so that it can be replaced or repaired.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Many cleaning tasks involve manual handling of equipment, materials and waste. We assess manual handling risks and seek to eliminate or reduce them through the use of trolleys, lighter equipment, sensible load limits and efficient work planning.

All staff receive training in safe lifting and carrying techniques, as well as in the proper use of vacuum cleaners, mops, buckets, rotary machines and any specialist equipment used in our services. Only trained and authorised personnel may use powered equipment. Equipment is maintained in a safe condition and subject to regular inspection.

Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention

Slips and trips are a significant risk in cleaning operations. We reduce this risk by using appropriate floor cleaning methods, controlling water use, promptly wiping up spills, using adequate warning signage, and planning work to minimise obstruction of routes and doorways.

Warning signs are placed prominently whenever floors are wet or being cleaned and are removed as soon as the area is safe. Staff are instructed to keep walkways clear of equipment, cables and waste bags, and to report any defects such as damaged flooring or poor lighting.

Working in Client Premises

When working at client sites, our employees must comply with both this policy and any site specific health and safety rules. This includes following access arrangements, emergency procedures, fire safety instructions and security requirements.

We liaise with clients to coordinate safety arrangements, provide necessary information about our activities, and agree any special controls required, such as out of hours cleaning, lone working, or working in sensitive or high risk areas.

Training, Information and Supervision

All employees receive an induction that covers general health and safety, company procedures, emergency arrangements and safe working practices relevant to their role. Ongoing training is provided for specific tasks, new equipment, updated procedures or changes in legislation.

Supervision is tailored to the experience and competence of staff, with additional monitoring and support for new starters and for higher risk activities. Health and safety instructions are communicated clearly and reinforced through regular briefings and refresher training.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work related ill health must be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor or manager. We maintain records of incidents, investigate their causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employees are briefed on emergency arrangements for fire, medical emergencies, chemical spills and building evacuations, including any site specific procedures required by clients. Staff must familiarise themselves with escape routes, assembly points and the location of emergency equipment relevant to the premises they are working in.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits, incident analysis and feedback from employees and clients. Findings are used to improve risk assessments, procedures and training.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and revised when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, working practices or organisational structure. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request.

Employee Involvement

Pimlico Cleaner encourages employees to contribute to the development and improvement of health and safety practices. Staff are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in discussions about safer ways of working. No employee will be disadvantaged for reporting a hazard or refusing to carry out work they reasonably believe to be unsafe.

By working together, we aim to maintain safe, healthy and well managed cleaning operations across all areas in which Pimlico Cleaner provides services.