Health And Safety Policy

Queen's Park Cleaner Health and Safety Policy

Queen's Park Cleaner is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to manage health and safety risks in all locations where we operate.

We recognise that effective health and safety management is essential to the quality of our cleaning services, the wellbeing of our staff, and the protection of client premises and property.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The aims of this Health and Safety Policy are to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health, and to promote continuous improvement in health and safety performance. We will achieve this by:

Identifying and assessing hazards associated with cleaning tasks.

Implementing and maintaining appropriate control measures.

Providing information, instruction, training, and supervision.

Consulting with employees on health and safety matters.

Reviewing incidents, near misses, and working practices to reduce risks.

Complying with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised good practice.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources, systems, and competent support are in place.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of control, including:

Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments.

Ensuring staff receive appropriate training and supervision.

Providing suitable equipment and personal protective equipment.

Monitoring compliance with safe systems of work.

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must:

Follow all safety instructions, procedures, and risk assessments.

Use equipment and personal protective equipment correctly.

Report hazards, defects, incidents, and near misses without delay.

Cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments will be carried out for cleaning tasks and environments, including offices, residential properties, common areas, and commercial premises. These assessments will identify significant hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, work at height, electrical equipment, cleaning chemicals, and interaction with other people on site.

Control measures will be documented and shared with employees through safe systems of work, method statements, and task-specific guidance. These will include clear instructions on the safe use of cleaning machinery, equipment, and substances, and will be reviewed when there are changes in work processes, equipment, or locations.

Use of Cleaning Chemicals and Substances

Only approved cleaning products will be used, in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety data. Where required, assessments will be undertaken to identify the potential health risks from substances used during cleaning activities. Control measures may include appropriate dilution, ventilation, and the use of gloves, eye protection, or other personal protective equipment.

Employees will be trained to understand product labels and hazard symbols, avoid mixing incompatible substances, and respond appropriately to spills, splashes, or accidental exposure.

Equipment Safety and Maintenance

All cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines, extension poles, and electrical tools, will be selected for suitability and maintained in a safe condition. Regular checks will be carried out to identify damage, defects, or wear that could create a risk to health and safety.

Faulty equipment will be removed from use and reported for repair or replacement. Employees must not attempt makeshift repairs or use equipment they suspect is unsafe.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Cleaning work often involves lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and repetitive movements. We will minimise manual handling risks by using equipment such as trolleys, long-handled tools, and lightweight materials wherever possible.

Employees will receive instruction on safe lifting techniques and how to organise their work to reduce strain, including correct posture, pacing of tasks, and taking suitable breaks when needed.

Slips, Trips, Falls, and Work at Height

To prevent slips, trips, and falls, walkways and working areas will be kept as clear as reasonably practicable. Wet floors will be signposted with appropriate warning signage, and spillages will be cleaned promptly and safely.

Where work at height is unavoidable, such as using step ladders or access equipment, only suitable and inspected equipment will be used. Employees must follow training and instructions for safe use and must not improvise by standing on furniture or unstable surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, eye protection, or protective clothing will be provided. Employees are required to use this equipment as instructed, look after it carefully, and report any damage or loss.

PPE will be selected to suit the specific task and environment and will be replaced when worn or defective.

Training, Information, and Supervision

All employees will receive an appropriate level of induction and ongoing training, covering company health and safety rules, safe cleaning methods, emergency procedures, and the correct use of equipment and cleaning products.

Additional training will be provided where work involves higher risks or specialist tasks. Supervision will be proportionate to the level of risk, the complexity of the job, and the experience of the employee.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and unsafe conditions must be reported to management as soon as possible. These reports will be recorded, investigated, and used to identify corrective and preventive actions.

Employees will be informed of emergency arrangements relevant to each site, including fire evacuation procedures, assembly points, and the location of first aid resources where applicable. Staff must follow any site-specific safety rules while working on client premises.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Queen's Park Cleaner encourages open communication about health and safety. Employees are invited to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in discussions about safer ways of working.

We will periodically review our health and safety arrangements, taking into account changes in legislation, industry guidance, work practices, and feedback from staff and clients. Lessons learned from incidents or inspections will be used to update our procedures and training.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to reflect current operations and legal requirements. The latest version will be made available to all employees and, on request, to clients and other interested parties.