Health and Safety Policy for Flat Clearance Tufnell Park

This policy describes the commitments and procedures of our flat clearance operation to protect staff, visitors and the public during rubbish removal and property clearance activities. Our aim is to provide safe, efficient flat clearance services and responsible rubbish clearance while complying with applicable health and safety obligations. This statement applies to all employees, contractors and sub-contractors engaged in clearance, rubbish removal, house clearance and related waste handling tasks.

All personnel must familiarise themselves with this policy, which outlines responsibilities, safe systems of work, risk assessment practices and reporting protocols. The company will allocate appropriate resources to maintain safe equipment, provide personal protective equipment and ensure that all vehicle and site operations are conducted with due care. Regular training is provided to support safe manual handling in flat clearances, effective segregation of waste and lawful waste disposal.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that work sites are assessed before operations begin and that safe working loads, traffic management and access are planned. Routine pre-clearance checks will identify hazards such as asbestos, sharps, chemicals and bulky items. The company prohibits uncontrolled removal of hazardous materials and will arrange specialist disposal when necessary. Staff must stop work and notify a supervisor if they discover unknown substances or suspect dangerous goods during rubbish removal activities.

Responsibilities and Competence

Employees engaged in flat clearance and rubbish removal must be competent for their tasks. Line managers will confirm competence, provide induction training and record qualifications. Contractors must demonstrate equivalent training and insurance. The company will ensure that lifting techniques, equipment operation and vehicle loading are performed only by trained personnel. Regular assessments and toolbox talks are used to maintain competency and reinforce safety behaviours across all property clearance operations.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Every clearance job will have a documented risk assessment and method statement. Risk assessments consider manual handling risks, trip and fall hazards, traffic interactions, dust control, noise and fire risk during rubbish clearance. Control measures may include task rotation, mechanical aids for lifting, cordoned areas, respiratory protection where dust is present and clear communication systems. Supervisors must implement control measures and confirm they are followed before work starts.

Safe systems of work also include vehicle safety checklists, securing loads, safe manoeuvring zones and correct use of tail lifts or hoists. PPE requirements are mandatory where controls cannot fully eliminate risk: high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, gloves, eye protection and masks where necessary. The company provides PPE and expects staff to maintain and replace equipment as required to preserve safety during rubbish removal and clearances.

Permitted and Prohibited Activities

Permitted activities include removal of household waste, furniture, non-hazardous bulky items and recyclable materials during flat clearance services. Prohibited activities include the uncontrolled handling of asbestos, unknown chemical containers, pressurised gas cylinders and other regulated hazardous wastes. When such items are encountered, teams must isolate the area, record the finding and arrange specialist removal. The company will not accept responsibility for illegal dumping by third parties.

Operational controls include:

• Pre-job site surveys and documented risk assessments
• Designated traffic and pedestrian segregation where necessary
• Use of mechanical aids and team lifts for heavy items
• Correct waste segregation for recycling, landfill and hazardous disposal
• Clear labelling and containment of items for specialist disposal

Incident Reporting, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: All incidents, near-misses and hazardous findings must be reported immediately. The company will investigate incidents, record outcomes and implement corrective actions. Health and safety performance is reviewed regularly by management through audits and inspections. Lessons learned are incorporated into updated risk assessments and training programmes to improve safety in rubbish clearance and property clearance activities.

Emergency Preparedness and Legal Compliance: Emergency procedures, first aid provision and contacts for specialised hazardous waste services are maintained. Staff receive training in emergency response relevant to flat clearances, including evacuation, first aid and containment of hazardous spills. The company is committed to complying with statutory health and safety and waste regulations and will cooperate with authorities during inspections, while ensuring that legal and contractual obligations are observed.

Review and Commitment: This policy is reviewed at least annually or following significant incidents, changes in operations or regulatory updates. The company pledges continuous improvement and a culture where safety is integrated into every aspect of our flat clearance service delivery. All personnel are expected to support the aims of this policy, act responsibly and contribute to a safe working environment for everyone involved in rubbish removal and clearance operations.