Riddlesdown Carpet Cleaners Health and Safety Policy
Riddlesdown Carpet Cleaners is committed to providing professional cleaning services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public. We recognise our duty of care and aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through careful planning, training and monitoring of our activities.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our main objectives are to:
Identify and control risks arising from our carpet, rug, upholstery and hard floor cleaning activities.
Provide and maintain safe systems of work, safe equipment and suitable cleaning products.
Ensure all staff receive appropriate health and safety training and supervision.
Promote a positive safety culture where everyone is encouraged to report hazards and near misses.
Comply with all relevant health and safety laws and recognised industry standards.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Riddlesdown Carpet Cleaners has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring that adequate resources are provided. Management will:
Regularly review risk assessments for cleaning work, including on client premises.
Provide suitable equipment, tools and cleaning machines that are properly maintained.
Ensure that cleaning chemicals are assessed for risk and used according to manufacturer guidance.
Organise regular training, instruction and supervision so that staff can work safely and competently.
Investigate incidents and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Every member of staff must:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work.
Follow all safety instructions, training, safe systems of work and site rules when working at client locations.
Use equipment correctly and report any defects, damage or malfunctions immediately.
Handle, store and dispose of cleaning chemicals in accordance with their training.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards to management without delay.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before undertaking work at a property, Riddlesdown Carpet Cleaners will assess the potential risks associated with the specific tasks, environment and equipment to be used. This includes:
Assessing slip, trip and fall hazards from wet floors, trailing cables or equipment placement.
Evaluating manual handling risks when moving furniture, machinery and cleaning solutions.
Identifying electrical hazards when operating powered carpet cleaning machines.
Reviewing ventilation and exposure when using cleaning agents and stain treatments.
Considering fire safety and emergency access routes while working on site.
From these assessments we implement safe systems of work, including the correct use of warning signs, controlled access to work areas, and arrangements to minimise disruption to occupants.
Chemical Safety and Control of Substances
We recognise that chemicals used in carpet and upholstery cleaning must be managed carefully to protect staff, clients, pets and the environment. To achieve this we will:
Use professional cleaning products that are suitable for their intended purpose and, where possible, low hazard.
Carry out assessments for all substances used and ensure containers are clearly labelled.
Provide staff with information and training on safe dilution, application, storage and disposal.
Ensure appropriate personal protective equipment is available and used when required.
Prevent unauthorised access to chemicals and ensure they are never left unattended in areas accessible to children or animals.
Equipment Safety and Maintenance
Our carpet cleaning machines, vacuum cleaners, extraction units and accessories will be maintained in a safe, efficient condition. We will:
Carry out regular inspection and servicing of all powered equipment.
Remove from use any item found to be defective until it has been repaired or replaced.
Ensure that electrical leads, plugs and sockets are checked for damage and kept clear of water and heat sources.
Train staff in the correct set-up, use and shutdown of machines and tools.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be controlled sufficiently by other means, suitable personal protective equipment will be provided. This may include gloves, eye protection, non-slip footwear, masks or other items as required. Employees must:
Use the equipment provided as instructed.
Report any damage, loss or defect immediately.
Store and clean reusable items in accordance with their training.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Carpet and upholstery cleaning can involve lifting, pushing and pulling equipment or furniture. To reduce the risk of strain and injury we will:
Provide manual handling training focused on safe lifting and moving techniques.
Encourage the use of handling aids or assistance from colleagues when items are heavy or awkward.
Plan work sequences to minimise unnecessary handling and repositioning.
Working at Client Premises
Our services are delivered in homes, offices and other occupied properties. We will conduct ourselves safely and respectfully at all times by:
Introducing ourselves and explaining any safety measures that may affect occupants.
Using warning signs for wet floors and restricting access to active work areas where appropriate.
Keeping workspaces tidy and free from unnecessary obstacles and spills.
Ensuring that emergency exits and escape routes remain clear.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents and near misses, however minor, must be reported to management. This allows us to investigate causes and improve our controls. Staff must familiarise themselves with:
Emergency arrangements at the client site, including fire exits and assembly points where applicable.
Procedures for summoning medical assistance in case of injury or illness.
Spill response procedures for cleaning products, including containment and safe clean-up.
Training, Consultation and Policy Review
Riddlesdown Carpet Cleaners is committed to ongoing health and safety improvement. We will:
Provide induction and refresher training for all staff relevant to their roles.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage suggestions for improvements.
Review this Health and Safety Policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our work activities, equipment or legislation.
This policy applies to all employees and contractors working on behalf of Riddlesdown Carpet Cleaners and forms an integral part of our commitment to delivering safe, high-quality cleaning services.
