Health & Safety Policy — Golders Green House Clearance

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures adopted by Golders Green House Clearance to ensure safe, lawful and effective house clearance and rubbish removal operations. Our objective is to protect employees, clients, contractors and the public during every stage of a clearance or waste removal service. The policy applies to house clearance in Golders Green, domestic rubbish collection, and associated waste handling tasks performed on behalf of clients.

We commit to continuous risk assessment and to apply control measures for the various types of waste and materials encountered. This includes safe manual handling techniques, secure containment for hazardous items, and procedures for dealing with sharps, electronics and chemical-containing materials. Our approach to health and safety is evidence-based and aligns with recognised waste management best practice for rubbish collection and removal services.

Staff training is a core requirement. All operatives receive induction training on safe working methods, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency procedures. We maintain records of competency and refresher training for lifting, vehicle loading, waste segregation and spill response. Supervisors routinely monitor site activity to ensure compliance with these standards and to identify further improvements.

Our policy covers the full range of clearance services: from single-room clearouts to full property house clearances and garden rubbish removal. The responsibilities for safety are clearly allocated: management define policy and resources, supervisors implement controls on site, and operatives follow safe systems of work. We require subcontractors to meet equivalent health and safety standards when providing supplementary support for waste removal activities.

Risk assessments are carried out before work begins and are reviewed as work progresses. Typical hazards identified include manual handling injuries, slips and trips, moving or falling objects during loading, exposure to biological or chemical hazards, and traffic risks during roadside loading. Controls include mechanical aids, safe stacking protocols, exclusion zones, reflective clothing for roadside operations and secure vehicle restraint systems to prevent load shift during transport.

To assist clarity, key safe work elements include:

• Pre-job risk assessment and documented method statements for complex or high-risk clearances.
• Appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye protection, steel-toe footwear and respiratory protection where necessary.
• Controlled handling of hazardous items including asbestos-suspect materials or chemical containers — these are managed in line with statutory guidance and, where needed, referred to specialist disposal services.

Operational safety is maintained through routine inspections, vehicle checks and maintenance regimes for equipment used in clearances and rubbish removal. Incident reporting and near-miss recording form part of our continuous improvement process to reduce risk exposure across our clearance operations.

Waste segregation and recycling are embedded elements of our service model. We aim to divert reusable items and recyclable materials from general waste wherever possible, applying separation at source and using licensed waste transfer processes. Clear documentation of waste types and appropriate consignment notes are used where required to ensure traceability from the premises to the approved disposal or recycling facility.

Performance is reviewed through regular safety meetings, audits and management reviews. Emergency procedures are in place and practised to respond to fire, spill events, medical emergencies or road traffic incidents. All employees are familiar with evacuation routes, emergency contact protocols and the location of first-aid equipment.

Leadership and worker engagement are essential. Management will provide the resources needed to meet this policy and consult with staff on safety matters. Employees are expected to follow safe systems of work, report hazards promptly and participate in training activities. Our philosophy emphasises prevention, worker wellbeing and responsible rubbish handling across all house clearance and waste removal tasks.

We recognise that legal compliance is a minimum requirement. The company regularly reviews applicable regulations and industry guidance related to waste handling, transport and disposal, and updates procedures accordingly. Permits, waste transfer documentation and licensing are managed to maintain lawful, traceable operations for every job.

This policy is reviewed at defined intervals and updated as necessary to reflect operational changes, new hazards, or legislative updates pertinent to clearance and rubbish services. Through diligent risk management, trained staff and robust operational controls, Golders Green House Clearance seeks to deliver safe, reliable and environmentally responsible clearance and rubbish removal services.