Peckham House Clearance Health & Safety Policy

Peckham House Clearance maintains this Health and Safety Policy to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public while delivering professional rubbish removal and house clearance services. This policy sets out our commitments, responsibilities and operational controls for waste removal, rubbish collection and related activities. It applies to all work undertaken by the company in domestic and commercial premises and at external sites. The company is committed to ensuring compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and expects all staff to act safely and responsibly.

Our objectives are to prevent accidents and incidents, reduce occupational ill health, and minimise environmental harm from waste handling. Key goals include maintaining safe systems of work, ensuring appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), carrying out thorough risk assessments, and providing effective training so every team member understands safe practices for house clearance and skip-free rubbish collection tasks.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

The Director has overall responsibility for health and safety policy and its implementation. Supervisors and site leads are responsible for day-to-day compliance, monitoring, and ensuring staff follow site-specific procedures. Employees must follow instructions, use PPE, report hazards, and participate in training. Contractors and temporary workers are required to meet the same safety standards. This distribution of duties ensures clear accountability across all waste removal services activities.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out written risk assessments for each job type such as full house clearances, single-item pick-ups, garden rubbish removal and collection of bulky waste. Assessments consider manual handling, slips, trips and falls, vehicle movements, hazardous materials (sharps, asbestos suspect materials, chemical containers), and site-specific hazards. The company uses control measures including safe lifting techniques, two-person lifts for heavy items, segregation of hazardous waste, and clear access routes to reduce exposure to risks.

Procedures are documented and communicated before work starts. Staff receive instruction on safe loading of vans and skip alternatives, securing loads, using trolleys and ramps safely, and handling items that may contain biohazards. We promote a stop-work culture: any employee may halt operations if they reasonably believe an activity is unsafe.

PPE, Equipment and Vehicle Safety

Appropriate PPE is mandatory for all collection and clearance tasks: high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety footwear, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or fumes are present. All tools, lifting aids and vehicles are inspected regularly and maintained in a safe condition. Drivers follow safe driving policies to reduce on-road risks and ensure secure load restraint during rubbish collection and waste transport.

Waste segregation and disposal procedures ensure recyclable materials are separated from general waste and hazardous items are handled per regulatory requirements. We do not undertake disposal of regulated hazardous waste without appropriate permits and specialist arrangements. When suspect materials are encountered, work is suspended and qualified advice sought. Clear labeling and containment protocols reduce cross-contamination during house-clearance and clearance of flats or communal areas.

Training and competency are central to safe operations. All staff undertake induction training, periodic refresher courses and job-specific instruction. Training covers manual handling, hazard recognition, emergency procedures, safe use of equipment and vehicle safety. Competence is assessed through observation and practical checks, ensuring that every team member can carry out their role in a rubbish company environment with confidence.

Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergency Procedures We maintain a clear reporting system for accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences. First aid provision and trained first aiders are available, and incidents are recorded, investigated and used to inform improvements. Emergency procedures include evacuation plans, fire precautions and arrangements for dealing with hazardous spills or biohazard exposure. Lessons learned from incidents are communicated promptly to prevent recurrence during future clearances or waste collection jobs.

Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement Regular safety audits, toolbox talks and performance reviews are conducted to monitor compliance and identify opportunities for improvement. The company reviews policies and procedures annually or after significant incidents, changes in legislation, or operational changes. Feedback from employees is actively encouraged to refine safe working procedures and enhance our house clearance and rubbish removal processes.

Peckham House Clearance is committed to minimizing environmental impact while safeguarding health and safety. Waste transfer and disposal arrangements prioritise licensed facilities and recycling. Where third-party contractors are engaged for specialised waste, they are selected based on their health and safety credentials and compliance history to ensure responsible waste management.

All personnel must read, understand and comply with this Health and Safety Policy. Non-compliance will be addressed through corrective actions, retraining or disciplinary measures. This policy is a living document and will be updated to reflect best practice and regulatory changes in the waste and house-clearance sector. By following these measures, the company ensures safer, more reliable rubbish removal, clearance and collection services for clients and the community.