Brixton House Clearance — Health & Safety Policy

Brixton House Clearance is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors, clients and members of the public affected by our rubbish removal and clearance operations. This policy sets out our approach to safe working across house clearance, waste removal, and related rubbish company service area activities and is intended to be a clear, enforceable statement of corporate responsibility and practical controls. The policy applies to all services offered by our house clearance and waste management teams and covers domestic and commercial rubbish collection operations.

Scope and objectives

This policy covers every aspect of our rubbish company service operations including site assessment, manual handling, vehicle safety, segregation of waste streams and secure removal of items from customer premises. Our objectives are to: ensure legal and regulatory compliance, reduce workplace incidents, maintain safe systems of work and promote continual improvement. Every employee and contractor must understand and apply these objectives in daily tasks. The policy is a living document and will be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in working practice and legislation.

Principles and commitments

We are committed to the following principles:

• Prevention: identify hazards through routine risk assessments and eliminate or control risks.
• Protection: provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training.
• Compliance: adhere to applicable health, safety and environmental regulations for clearance services and rubbish disposal.
• Responsiveness: maintain robust incident reporting and emergency procedures.

These commitments apply to every part of our rubbish clearance and removal services.

Responsibilities and roles

The responsibilities for implementing this policy are allocated as follows: senior management retains overall accountability for health and safety performance; supervisors and team leaders are responsible for daily enforcement of safe working practices; employees and subcontractors must follow procedures and report hazards. Managers will ensure risk assessments are completed and that control measures are implemented and monitored. Training records, PPE issue logs and vehicle checks will be maintained as formal evidence of compliance.

Risk assessment is central to our approach. Assessments will be carried out prior to any clearance activity, considering factors such as manual handling loads, proximity to public areas, presence of sharps or hazardous materials and condition of structures. Where residual risk remains, control measures such as mechanical aids, additional personnel, or temporary barriers will be used. All staff undertaking assessment duties are required to demonstrate competence through training and regular practical review.

Training, competence and PPE

We will provide induction and refresher training tailored to clearance roles, including manual handling, safe lifting techniques, use of trolleys and sack trucks, correct use of PPE and safe operation of any powered equipment. Personal protective equipment such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and eye protection will be supplied and must be worn where required. Training includes awareness of hazardous waste indicators and procedures for isolating and reporting suspected hazardous materials encountered during rubbish removal operations.

Waste handling, segregation and disposal

All waste collected through our rubbish company operations will be segregated at source where practical and delivered to authorised facilities for recycling or disposal. We will not accept or transport controlled hazardous wastes without prior approval, appropriate documentation and trained personnel. Our waste handling standards include secure storage on vehicles, containment of loose materials, and measures to prevent fly-tipping or contamination en route. Contracts with licensed disposal partners are reviewed to ensure legal compliance and environmental responsibility.

Vehicles, site safety and customer premises

Vehicle maintenance, load restraint and driver competence are essential for safe rubbish removal services. Vehicles used in clearance operations will undergo regular inspections and drivers will perform pre-shift checks. Site safety protocols for customer premises include assessment of access routes, identification of trip hazards, and coordination with occupants to safeguard vulnerable individuals and pets. Workers must avoid lone working in high-risk situations and follow secure procedures when entering enclosed or potentially unstable spaces.

Incident reporting, emergency response and monitoring

All incidents, near misses and property damage must be reported promptly and recorded. We will investigate occurrences to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Emergency response arrangements include first aid provision, means of summoning assistance and arrangements for dealing with hazardous discoveries discovered during clearance. Routine monitoring of safety performance, including audits, toolbox talks and spot checks, will support continuous improvement and will feed into periodic policy review.

Contractors, communication and record keeping

Where we engage subcontractors for rubbish disposal or specialist removal tasks, they must demonstrate compliance with this policy and provide evidence of training, insurance and licences. Communication of safety expectations is mandatory prior to commencement of works. Accurate records will be maintained for risk assessments, training, inspections, incident reports and waste transfer documentation to demonstrate effective implementation of safe systems of work.

Compliance with statutory requirements and industry best practice is a minimum standard. We will periodically review this health and safety policy to ensure it remains effective and practical for the variety of clearance and rubbish removal services we provide. Employees and contractors are encouraged to contribute to improvements by reporting hazards and suggesting safer methods of work.

Policy review and commitment: senior management endorses this policy and will allocate sufficient resources to meet its commitments. This statement is supported by operational procedures that set out specific measures to control risk and protect health. Together, through diligence and cooperation, we will maintain a safe, legal and professional rubbish and clearance service.