Health and Safety Policy for Roehampton Carpet Cleaners
Roehampton Carpet Cleaners is committed to providing professional carpet and upholstery cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and the public. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks, promoting safe working practices and complying with applicable health and safety legislation and guidance in our service areas.
Policy Statement and Objectives
Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health arising from our cleaning activities. We will identify and control health and safety risks, consult with our staff on matters affecting their health and safety, and provide clear information, instruction and training. We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety performance and to reviewing this policy on a regular basis.
All employees, contractors and managers working on behalf of Roehampton Carpet Cleaners are required to comply with this policy and any associated procedures, and to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining effective health and safety arrangements across all cleaning operations. This includes carrying out risk assessments, ensuring that safe systems of work are in place and monitored, providing suitable equipment and personal protective equipment, and making sure employees have access to adequate information, instruction and supervision.
Managers will regularly review working practices, accident and incident records, and feedback from staff and clients. Where necessary, they will update procedures, introduce additional controls and arrange refresher training to ensure standards are maintained and improved.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Roehampton Carpet Cleaners have a duty to work safely and responsibly. Staff must follow the instructions and training provided, use equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and company procedures, and wear any personal protective equipment issued to them. Employees are required to report hazards, near misses, accidents and defective equipment without delay so that corrective action can be taken.
Employees must never engage in horseplay, misuse safety equipment or undertake work for which they have not been trained or authorised. Any health condition or circumstance that may affect an employee’s ability to work safely must be reported to management in confidence so that reasonable adjustments can be considered.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Roehampton Carpet Cleaners carries out risk assessments for its carpet and upholstery cleaning activities, including domestic and commercial work, with particular attention paid to slips, trips and falls, manual handling, electrical safety, chemical use and equipment operation. These assessments are reviewed periodically and following any significant change in working practices, equipment or location.
Safe systems of work are developed based on the findings of risk assessments. Staff are briefed on these systems and are expected to follow them at all times. Where site-specific risks are identified, such as unusual floor surfaces, restricted access or high-traffic areas, additional controls such as barriers, warning signs or modified work methods will be implemented.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
Cleaning solutions, spot removers and other substances used by Roehampton Carpet Cleaners are selected and used in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health principles. We obtain and keep safety data sheets for all relevant products and carry out appropriate assessments before use. Chemicals are stored securely, transported safely between jobs and used strictly in line with manufacturer instructions.
Employees receive training on dilution, application, ventilation requirements, contact times and emergency measures, including dealing with spillages and accidental contact with skin or eyes. Where required, suitable personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection or masks is provided and must be worn.
Equipment, Maintenance and Electrical Safety
We ensure that all cleaning machinery, including carpet extraction machines, vacuum cleaners and ancillary tools, is suitable for the intended use, kept in good repair and maintained in line with recommended service intervals. Equipment is inspected regularly, and any defects are reported immediately and removed from service until repaired or replaced.
Electrical safety is of particular importance. Employees are trained not to use damaged cables, plugs or sockets and to avoid overloading circuits. Where extension leads are required, they are routed to minimise trip risks and kept away from water sources wherever possible. Portable electrical equipment may be subject to periodic testing in accordance with relevant guidance.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Carpet and upholstery cleaning often involves lifting, carrying and moving equipment, hoses and furniture. Roehampton Carpet Cleaners provides manual handling training to help staff reduce the risk of strains and injuries. Employees are instructed to assess the load before lifting, use correct lifting techniques, and seek assistance or use handling aids when necessary.
Where possible, work is planned to minimise the need for heavy lifting, awkward postures or repetitive actions. Breaks are encouraged where tasks are physically demanding, and staff are asked to report any discomfort or early signs of musculoskeletal issues so that support and adjustments can be provided.
Control of Slips, Trips and Falls
Cleaning operations can temporarily increase slip and trip risks, especially where carpets and floors are damp, hoses cross walkways or furniture has been moved. Roehampton Carpet Cleaners implements control measures such as clearly visible warning signs, organised cable and hose management, and structured work sequences to keep walkways clear.
Employees are instructed to inspect the work area before starting, identify potential hazards and communicate with clients regarding access restrictions where appropriate. Any spillages are cleaned promptly, and warning signs remain in place until surfaces are safe to walk on.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be eliminated through other controls, Roehampton Carpet Cleaners provides suitable personal protective equipment at no cost to employees. This may include gloves, eye protection, masks or protective footwear, depending on the task and environment.
Employees must use the equipment as instructed, keep it in good condition and report any loss or damage so that replacements can be arranged. PPE is considered a secondary control measure and is used alongside, not instead of, other safety precautions.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive induction training covering core health and safety responsibilities, safe use of cleaning equipment, chemical handling and emergency procedures. Additional task-specific training is provided as required, and refresher training is arranged periodically or following changes in processes or equipment.
Supervision is provided proportionate to the level of risk and the competence of each employee. New staff and those new to certain tasks may work under closer supervision until they demonstrate the required level of skill and understanding.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
Any accident, injury, near miss or dangerous occurrence during cleaning work must be reported to management as soon as possible. Details are recorded, investigated and used to identify underlying causes and implement corrective measures. Where required, incidents will be escalated in line with applicable reporting obligations.
Employees are trained in emergency procedures, including how to respond to fires, medical emergencies, chemical exposures and electrical incidents. Staff are expected to follow site-specific emergency arrangements when working on client premises, including evacuation routes and assembly points.
Client Cooperation and Shared Responsibilities
Roehampton Carpet Cleaners recognises that health and safety is a shared responsibility when working on client premises. We request that clients cooperate by providing relevant information about site hazards, fire safety arrangements and access restrictions. We may ask clients to keep children, pets and visitors away from active work areas to minimise the risk of accidents.
Where issues are identified that could compromise safety, we reserve the right to delay or adapt work until suitable controls are in place. Open communication between our staff and clients is encouraged to support a safe and efficient service.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals or following significant changes in operations, legislation or best practice. Feedback from employees and clients, along with incident data and inspection findings, is used to refine our procedures and to improve overall safety performance.
By following this policy, Roehampton Carpet Cleaners aims to deliver high-quality cleaning services while maintaining a safe environment for everyone affected by our work.