Office Clearance Herne Hill — Health and Safety Policy

This policy sets out the commitment of our office clearance operation to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors and others affected by our work. It covers the full range of office clearance, commercial rubbish removal and related waste handling activities in our service area. The aim is to manage risks associated with rubbish company service area operations through clear responsibilities, control measures and continual improvement. This document is presented in a concise legal-style format and is not a guide or advisory leaflet; it is a formal policy statement.

The policy applies to all staff engaged in office clearance, rubbish collection, waste removal and commercial rubbish clearance tasks, whether working on-site or in transit. Senior management is accountable for implementing and resourcing the policy, while supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day compliance. Every employee has a legal and moral duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, and to report hazards, near misses and incidents promptly. The organisation will exercise due diligence when appointing subcontractors and suppliers to ensure their practices meet our standards for safe rubbish removal services.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Risk assessment is central to safe office clearance operations. Prior to any clearance, an assessment will be completed to identify hazards such as manual handling risks, sharps, hazardous waste, asbestos suspicion, traffic movements and confined spaces. Controls will be proportionate to the identified risk and may include segregation of waste, safe lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids, and exclusion zones. The planning process will also consider waste transfer, legal disposal routes and the minimisation of environmental impact when operating in the rubbish collection and removal service area.

Workplace controls will include clear procedures for segregation and labeling of waste streams, requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe operating limits for machinery and vehicles. Training and competence are required for all operatives involved in bulk rubbish removal, confidential document disposal and recycling tasks. Contractors and visitors must be briefed on site-specific rules and emergency arrangements. The company will maintain records of assessments, method statements and equipment inspections, and will regularly review these documents to reflect changes in operations or legislation.

The following key controls form part of our minimum standard for every job in the service area:

• PPE: gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots and eye protection where required;
• Manual handling: use team lifts and mechanical aids; avoid solo lifts of heavy items;
• Vehicle safety: secure loads, use appropriate vehicles for bulky waste, and maintain regular checks;
• Segregation: separate recyclable materials from general rubbish and hazardous items;
• Hazardous waste: do not transport unknown hazardous items; isolate and arrange specialist disposal.

These measures help ensure compliance with broader waste management obligations while providing safe, efficient rubbish clearance and disposal across the company’s operational footprint.

Training programmes cover induction, safe manual handling, hazardous waste awareness and vehicle loading/unloading. Refresher training is scheduled depending on role and risk exposure. The company will also support accredited external training where appropriate. Records of training will be maintained and audited periodically. Supervisors will be assessed for competence to lead teams in office clearance and commercial rubbish collection tasks, and personnel not meeting standards will be retrained or reassigned.

Incident Management and Reporting

Incidents, near misses and health concerns must be reported immediately through the company’s incident reporting process. All incidents will be recorded, investigated and actioned to prevent recurrence. First aid provision and access to emergency services are maintained during operations. The investigation process aims to identify root causes and to implement changes to procedures, equipment or training as necessary. The organisation is committed to transparent reporting, internal review and corrective action without attributing blame beyond individual negligence.

Arrangements for subcontractors and temporary staff include verification of competence, evidence of adequate insurance and confirmation of site induction completion. Subcontractors engaged to provide rubbish removal or site clearance must adhere to this policy and to specific job risk assessments. The company reserves the right to suspend or terminate contracts where safety standards are not met. Audits of contractor performance will be undertaken periodically to ensure consistent standards across the service area and to protect the health of all site personnel.

Monitoring and continuous improvement are integral to our approach. The policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and following significant incidents, changes in legislation, or alterations in service delivery for waste collection and office clearance. Performance indicators such as incident rates, near-miss reports, training completion and audit findings will be used to measure effectiveness. This statement is endorsed by senior management and forms part of the company’s governance for providing safe, compliant and dependable rubbish removal and office clearance services within our service area. Commitment to safety supports service quality and environmental responsibility.