Roehampton Carpet Cleaning Health and Safety Policy
Roehampton Carpet Cleaning is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our carpet, upholstery and hard floor cleaning activities. We aim to provide a safe and healthy working environment and to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through effective planning, training and supervision.
Policy Objectives
The objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to:
Ensure that all work, including carpet cleaning, stain removal, upholstery care and hard floor maintenance, is planned and carried out safely.
Identify hazards associated with our services and reduce risks to a reasonably practical level.
Provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision to employees.
Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the company.
Comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry guidance.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Roehampton Carpet Cleaning has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy. Management will:
Lead by example and promote safe working practices in all carpet cleaning operations.
Ensure risk assessments are carried out, kept up to date and communicated to relevant staff.
Provide appropriate equipment, products and personal protective equipment that are safe, suitable and maintained in good working order.
Provide health and safety information and training to employees appropriate to their duties.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses to identify causes and implement corrective actions.
Review this policy regularly and revise it when necessary to reflect operational or legal changes.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees of Roehampton Carpet Cleaning share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. All staff are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions.
Follow safe systems of work, method statements and company procedures at all times.
Use machinery, tools, cleaning equipment and chemicals in accordance with training and instructions.
Wear and correctly use the personal protective equipment provided for each carpet or upholstery cleaning task.
Report hazards, defects, accidents, near misses and health and safety concerns to management without delay.
Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that could create risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Roehampton Carpet Cleaning undertakes suitable and sufficient risk assessments for our cleaning services, including domestic and commercial carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, rug cleaning and hard floor care. These assessments consider hazards such as slips, trips and falls, electrical safety, chemical use, manual handling and noise.
As part of our safe working practices we will:
Assess each job on arrival, including access routes, parking, stairways and work areas.
Identify and clearly mark potential slip or trip hazards, including damp carpets and trailing hoses.
Position machines, power leads and hoses to minimise obstruction to clients, staff and visitors.
Isolate and test electrical sockets where our equipment is used and avoid overloading circuits.
Ensure that staff only operate machinery and specialist tools for which they have been trained.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
We recognise the need for careful control of cleaning products. Roehampton Carpet Cleaning will:
Select cleaning agents that are appropriate, effective and as low risk as reasonably practicable.
Obtain and maintain safety data sheets for all cleaning products used in carpet and upholstery cleaning.
Carry out assessments of substances that may be hazardous to health and implement control measures.
Provide training in the safe handling, dilution, application and storage of cleaning chemicals.
Ensure chemicals are kept in clearly labelled containers and never decanted into unmarked bottles.
Provide suitable first aid guidance for any accidental contact, inhalation or ingestion of products.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Carpet cleaning work may involve lifting, moving and transporting machinery, hoses and accessories. To reduce the risk of injury we will:
Provide manual handling training, including correct lifting techniques and the use of handling aids.
Encourage staff to assess the weight and shape of items before lifting and to seek assistance if needed.
Use wheeled trolleys or other aids where reasonably practicable, particularly in larger properties or commercial buildings.
Plan work to minimise unnecessary carrying of equipment over long distances or up and down stairs.
Control of Slips, Trips and Falls
We acknowledge that damp surfaces, hoses and power cables can present slip and trip hazards. Roehampton Carpet Cleaning will:
Use warning signs during and after cleaning where carpets or floors remain damp.
Route hoses and cables away from entrances and walkways where possible.
Advise clients about drying times, ventilation and safe access around recently cleaned areas.
Ensure that staff maintain good housekeeping to keep workspaces tidy and free of obstructions.
Vehicles and Driving
Where employees drive company or personal vehicles for work purposes, we require that:
All drivers hold a valid driving licence and comply with road traffic laws.
Vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and any defects are reported promptly.
Equipment and chemicals are loaded securely to prevent movement during transit.
Drivers do not use mobile phones or other devices while driving unless safely parked.
Training, Communication and Consultation
Roehampton Carpet Cleaning is committed to providing appropriate health and safety training for all employees. This may include induction training, task-specific training for carpet cleaning machinery, refresher training and updates when processes or equipment change.
We will communicate health and safety information clearly, ensure that employees understand their responsibilities and encourage staff to raise suggestions or concerns. Where relevant, we will consult with employees on matters that affect their health and safety.
Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as possible. Management will record, investigate and, where required, notify relevant authorities in accordance with legal requirements.
Employees must familiarise themselves with emergency procedures at each site, including fire exits and assembly points where applicable. First aid equipment will be maintained and made available to staff, and employees will be informed of first aid arrangements.
Monitoring and Review
This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure its effectiveness. Roehampton Carpet Cleaning will review the policy periodically, and sooner if there are significant changes to our services, work methods or applicable legislation. Any updates will be communicated to employees, and training will be provided where necessary.
All staff and management share a commitment to uphold this Health and Safety Policy and to work together to maintain safe, professional carpet and upholstery cleaning services for all clients.
