Acton House Clearance Health & Safety Policy

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Acton House Clearance to deliver safe, compliant and environmentally responsible house clearance and rubbish removal services. The policy applies across all operational activity including domestic clear-outs, commercial waste jobs and any contracted rubbish removal service or waste disposal works. Our aim is to protect employees, clients, contractors and the public while ensuring that rubbish collection and clearance is carried out efficiently and lawfully.

Scope and responsibility are central to successful risk management. The company director holds overall responsibility for health and safety while site supervisors and team leaders manage day-to-day implementation. Every member of staff engaged in a rubbish company activity has a duty to follow safe systems of work, report hazards and participate in training. Acton House Clearance will supply necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintain vehicles and equipment used for waste removal and house clearance operations.

Hazard identification and control: We systematically assess hazards associated with rubbish clearance, including manual handling of bulky items, sharps, hazardous household waste, contaminated materials and biohazards. Risk assessments and method statements are prepared for each site or job to identify controls such as segregation of waste streams, appropriate PPE, exclusion zones and safe lifting techniques. Our rubbish removal teams are trained to spot asbestos risks and suspect materials; if identified, work will stop and specialist removal arranged.

Operational Standards and Safe Working

Work planning is integral to a safe clearance. Before any house clearance or rubbish collection, site access, vehicle positioning and manual handling needs are assessed. Vehicles used for rubbish removal are regularly inspected, serviced and loaded to avoid shifting loads. We maintain clear protocols for hazardous waste, electrical goods and large-scale junk removal, using authorised disposal routes and recycling where possible. Every job carries a documented waste transfer approach to ensure legal compliance with disposal and recycling standards.

Training and competence: All operatives receive induction training, regular refresher courses and on-the-job mentoring focused on safe lifting, use of trolleys and hoists, PPE, and site hygiene. Supervisors are trained in risk assessment, permit-to-work systems and emergency response. The company promotes a safety culture that encourages reporting of near misses and hazards to continuously improve the rubbish clearance service and reduce incidents.

We apply practical controls to reduce risks during clearances. Key measures include:

• Manual handling controls — two-person lifts for bulky items, mechanical aids where possible
• PPE standards — gloves, safety boots, hi-vis, and respiratory protection where dust is present
• Site segregation — separation of recyclable materials, controlled handling of hazardous household waste
• Vehicle safety — secure load procedures and daily vehicle checks

Monitoring, Emergency Procedures and Compliance

Monitoring and review are ongoing. Incident records, toolbox talks and routine inspections are used to measure performance. Where non-conformances are found, corrective actions are implemented and lessons learned shared across the team. We maintain clear emergency procedures, including first aid arrangements, spill response and a communication plan for incidents arising from rubbish removal activities.

Emergency preparedness and first aid provision are essential. Trained first aiders are available for site work and operatives carry mobile communication devices for rapid assistance. Fire prevention measures are observed during clearance operations, with safe storage for flammable materials and clear evacuation routes. In the event of a significant hazard — e.g., suspect asbestos or chemical exposure — work is suspended and specialist advice sought immediately.

Review and continuous improvement: This policy is reviewed at least annually or following significant incidents, legislative changes or operational developments. Acton House Clearance is committed to maintaining compliance with applicable health and safety law and waste management requirements while striving to improve the quality and sustainability of its clearance and rubbish removal services. Staff engagement, documented procedures and practical site controls will be maintained to ensure the safety of all stakeholders and the continual refinement of our rubbish clearance and waste removal operations.