Health and Safety Policy for Colliers Wood Cleaners

Colliers Wood Cleaners is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and the wider public. This policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, protecting health, and ensuring that all cleaning activities are carried out safely, professionally, and responsibly.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We recognise our duty to manage health and safety risks associated with professional cleaning services in homes, offices, and commercial premises. We are committed to:

Identifying, assessing, and controlling health and safety risks arising from our work activities. Providing and maintaining safe equipment, materials, and methods of work. Ensuring employees are competent to perform their roles through training, supervision, and ongoing support. Preventing accidents, work-related ill health, and damage to property. Consulting with staff on matters affecting their health and safety. Reviewing and improving our health and safety management regularly.

Responsibilities and Accountability

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Colliers Wood Cleaners rests with senior management, who ensure that appropriate systems, resources, and procedures are in place. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on site, monitoring safe working practices, and addressing issues promptly.

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow company safety procedures, use equipment correctly, wear any required personal protective equipment, and report hazards, accidents, or near misses without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before undertaking cleaning tasks, we identify potential hazards and assess the risks associated with each job. This includes consideration of client premises layout, access routes, floor surfaces, electrical installations, and any specific client requirements.

Based on these assessments, we implement safe systems of work that may include restricted access areas, controlled use of equipment, safe storage of materials, and clear communication of site-specific instructions to all staff attending the premises.

Chemical Safety and COSHH

Cleaning chemicals are managed in accordance with relevant regulations for the control of substances hazardous to health. We use reputable products suitable for professional cleaning and ensure they are stored, transported, diluted, and used safely.

All hazardous substances are clearly labelled, and safety data information is available to staff. Employees are trained in the safe handling of chemicals, correct dilution ratios, ventilation requirements, and what to do in the event of spills, splashes, or accidental exposure.

Equipment, Tools, and Maintenance

We provide appropriate equipment for each cleaning service, including vacuum cleaners, floor machines, steam cleaners, and hand tools. All equipment is selected with safety, reliability, and suitability for the task in mind.

Regular inspections, testing, and maintenance are carried out to keep equipment in safe working order. Any item found to be faulty or unsafe is removed from service immediately and reported for repair or replacement. Staff are instructed to use only equipment for which they have been trained and authorised.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Cleaning work can involve lifting, carrying, reaching, and repetitive movements. To reduce the risk of strains and other injuries, we train staff in safe manual handling techniques, such as correct lifting posture, avoiding twisting, and asking for assistance with heavy or awkward loads.

Where possible, we minimise manual handling by using trolleys, long-reach tools, and lightweight equipment. Work methods are reviewed regularly to reduce unnecessary physical strain and encourage safer, more ergonomic working practices.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Depending on the task, this may include gloves, masks, eye protection, footwear, or protective clothing.

Employees are required to wear PPE as instructed, keep it in good condition, and report any loss or damage immediately. Supervisors monitor compliance with PPE requirements during routine checks and site visits.

Infection Control and Hygiene

We take infection control seriously, particularly when cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, and high-touch areas. Staff follow hygienic cleaning methods, including the use of appropriate disinfectants, colour-coded cloths and mops, and separate equipment for sanitary areas.

Hands are to be washed or sanitised regularly, especially after handling waste, using cleaning chemicals, or completing bathroom cleaning tasks. Special procedures are followed if there is a known risk of contamination or illness at a client property.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and hazardous incidents must be reported to management as soon as possible. We maintain records of incidents to identify trends, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.

Staff receive instructions on what to do in the event of emergencies, such as fire, chemical spills, or serious injury. This includes safe evacuation procedures, raising the alarm, and contacting appropriate emergency services when required.

Training, Information, and Supervision

New employees receive an induction covering health and safety responsibilities, safe use of equipment and chemicals, emergency procedures, and company rules. Ongoing training is provided to keep skills and knowledge up to date, including refresher sessions and task-specific instruction.

Supervision and periodic site visits are used to monitor working practices, provide feedback, and ensure that safety standards are consistently maintained across all cleaning services.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We encourage employees to raise health and safety concerns, suggest improvements, and share ideas for safer ways of working. Feedback from staff and clients is considered when reviewing our procedures and risk assessments.

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or relevant legislation. Updated versions are communicated to all employees, and we expect everyone at Colliers Wood Cleaners to play an active role in maintaining a safe, healthy, and professional cleaning service.