Cleaners Ealing Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments and working practices of Cleaners Ealing in relation to the wellbeing of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. Our aim is to provide safe, reliable cleaning services while preventing injury, ill health and damage to property or the environment.
Policy Statement
Cleaners Ealing is committed to maintaining the highest practical standards of health, safety and welfare. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to identify, control and minimise risks arising from our cleaning operations in residential and commercial properties. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning, supervision and delivery of all cleaning services.
This policy applies to all employees, subcontractors and temporary workers engaged by Cleaners Ealing, as well as to any clients hosting our staff on their premises.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Cleaners Ealing has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. This includes:
Ensuring that adequate resources are provided for health and safety arrangements. Setting clear standards for safe cleaning practices and monitoring performance. Conducting and reviewing risk assessments for typical cleaning tasks and specialist work. Providing appropriate training, supervision and information. Ensuring that all cleaning products and equipment are selected, used and maintained in a safe manner. Investigating incidents and near misses to prevent recurrence and improve procedures.
The policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practice, services offered or working methods.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee and subcontractor working for Cleaners Ealing has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff are required to:
Follow company safety procedures and instructions at all times. Use cleaning equipment, tools and materials only for their intended purpose and in the prescribed manner. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as instructed. Report hazards, defects, spillages, accidents and near misses immediately. Maintain good housekeeping standards in all work areas. Co-operate fully with management in fulfilling legal and policy requirements.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before work is undertaken, tasks will be assessed to identify potential hazards such as slips and trips, working at height, manual handling, exposure to cleaning chemicals, electrical equipment, confined spaces and lone working. Control measures will be put in place to eliminate or reduce risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Safe working practices include, but are not limited to:
Using warning signs and barriers when floors are wet or work areas present increased risk. Ensuring walkways and fire exits remain clear and unobstructed. Using step ladders and other access equipment safely and only where trained. Avoiding over-reaching or unstable working positions. Following correct manual handling techniques to reduce the risk of strain and injury. Ensuring sufficient lighting and ventilation when working in enclosed spaces.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
Cleaners Ealing recognises the potential risks arising from the use of cleaning chemicals. We will ensure that all substances are assessed for health risks, stored securely and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant regulations.
Specific measures include:
Keeping safety data information available for all products used. Providing training on dilution, application, contact times and safe disposal. Prohibiting unlabelled or decanted chemicals. Avoiding mixing chemicals under any circumstances. Providing appropriate gloves, eye protection or other personal protective equipment when required. Ensuring good ventilation where vapours or aerosols may be present.
Equipment and Electrical Safety
All machinery, tools and electrical appliances used in cleaning activities will be maintained in safe working order. This includes vacuum cleaners, floor machines, steam cleaners and any specialist equipment.
Employees must:
Visually check equipment before use and report defects immediately. Never use damaged plugs, cables or attachments. Avoid overloading sockets or using unsafe extension leads. Switch off and unplug equipment before cleaning or maintenance. Store equipment safely to prevent trips, falls or unauthorised use.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be sufficiently controlled by other means, Cleaners Ealing will provide suitable personal protective equipment. This may include gloves, masks, eye protection, aprons or non-slip footwear, depending on the task.
Employees are required to use protective equipment as instructed, keep it in good condition, and report any loss or damage so it can be replaced promptly.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff receive appropriate induction training covering general health and safety, safe cleaning methods, emergency procedures and the correct use of chemicals and equipment. Additional task-specific training is provided where necessary, for example for floor care, specialist surfaces or higher-risk environments.
Supervision levels are set according to experience, competence and the complexity of the job. Refresher training is provided when working methods, equipment or regulations change.
Accidents, Incidents and First Aid
All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous occurrences involving Cleaners Ealing staff must be reported without delay. This enables timely medical attention where needed and allows the company to investigate and apply corrective actions.
Appropriate first aid arrangements will be made for staff working on client premises, and employees will be informed of the first aid and emergency procedures relevant to each site.
Client Cooperation and Shared Responsibilities
Health and safety is a shared responsibility between Cleaners Ealing and its clients. We expect clients to provide safe access to premises, inform us of any known hazards and cooperate with any necessary control measures such as restricted areas, security procedures or building-specific emergency arrangements.
Where our staff work alongside client employees or other contractors, we will coordinate activities to reduce risks and avoid unsafe overlap of tasks.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
Cleaners Ealing is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will review this policy periodically, considering feedback from staff and clients, audit findings, incident reports and updates in legislation or industry guidance.
By working together and following the principles set out in this Health and Safety Policy, we aim to provide a professional cleaning service that protects people, property and the environment across all areas where we operate.