Harrow Cleaners Health and Safety Policy

Harrow Cleaners is committed to providing professional cleaning services while protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with cleaning operations in residential, commercial, and specialist environments.

Policy Statement

We will manage our work in a way that prevents injury, ill health, and property damage. Health and safety is an integral part of our business planning and service delivery. All employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions at work.

This policy is supported by detailed procedures and guidance, and is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective as our services, methods and equipment evolve.

Responsibilities

Senior management at Harrow Cleaners has overall responsibility for health and safety. They are responsible for ensuring that appropriate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision are provided so that this policy can be fully implemented.

Supervisors and team leaders must ensure that cleaning tasks are planned and carried out in accordance with risk assessments, safe systems of work and manufacturer instructions for all equipment and products used.

All employees are required to:

Follow all health and safety procedures and training provided.

Use equipment, chemicals and personal protective equipment correctly and only for their intended purpose.

Report hazards, near misses, incidents and defective equipment promptly to management.

Cooperate with Harrow Cleaners to enable compliance with health and safety obligations.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out and maintain task-based risk assessments for our cleaning activities, including routine cleaning, deep cleaning, carpet and upholstery care, window cleaning, and specialist sanitation work. These assessments identify the key hazards, evaluate risks, and set out control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Safe systems of work are developed based on these assessments and communicated to employees through induction and ongoing training. We review risk assessments following any significant change in working methods, equipment, substances or premises, or after any incident or near miss.

Training, Information and Supervision

Harrow Cleaners provides appropriate health and safety training to all employees relevant to their roles. This includes:

General health and safety awareness and company rules.

Safe use, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals and materials.

Manual handling techniques for lifting, carrying and moving equipment or supplies.

Use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks and eye protection.

Operation of machinery such as vacuum cleaners, floor buffers, steam cleaners and other powered equipment.

Working safely on client premises, including respect for security, confidentiality and specific on-site procedures.

Training is refreshed periodically and whenever there is a change in equipment, products, working methods or legal requirements. Supervisors monitor performance and provide guidance to ensure safe working practices are maintained.

Chemical Safety and COSHH

Cleaning often requires the use of chemicals that may pose hazards if used incorrectly. We only use cleaning products that are suitable for professional use and that meet relevant safety standards.

All hazardous substances are assessed and controlled in line with best practice. Safety data information is obtained from suppliers and used to determine appropriate use, storage, handling, personal protective equipment and emergency measures.

Chemicals are always stored securely, clearly labelled and kept in their original containers where practicable. Employees are instructed never to mix chemicals unless explicitly directed by the manufacturer instructions and trained procedures.

Equipment Safety and Maintenance

We ensure that all cleaning equipment is suitable for its intended purpose and maintained in a safe condition. New equipment is checked before use, and regular inspection and maintenance schedules are in place for items such as vacuum cleaners, floor machines, steam equipment and any powered tools.

Employees must visually inspect equipment before use, report any defects immediately, and remove unsafe equipment from service until it has been repaired or replaced. Only trained staff may use specialist equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means, personal protective equipment is provided. This may include gloves, masks, eye protection, protective footwear or clothing, depending on the task.

Employees must use the protective equipment provided, keep it in good condition, and report any loss or damage. Harrow Cleaners is responsible for ensuring that protective equipment is suitable, correctly fitted where required, and replaced when necessary.

Workplace and Client Premises Safety

We plan our work to minimise disruption and risk to clients, staff and visitors. This includes sensible scheduling of tasks, safe routing of cables, and where appropriate the use of warning signs to highlight wet floors or restricted access areas.

Employees must keep their working areas tidy, avoid creating trip hazards, and ensure that cleaning activities do not block fire exits or access routes. Particular care is taken in shared or public areas to protect people who may not be aware of cleaning operations taking place.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. We investigate incidents to identify causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Employees receive guidance on what to do in an emergency, including fire, serious injury, chemical spills and other unexpected events. When working on client premises, staff must also follow site-specific emergency procedures.

Health, Welfare and Wellbeing

Harrow Cleaners recognises the importance of protecting both physical and mental health. We aim to manage workloads sensibly, reduce unnecessary physical strain, and encourage early reporting of work-related health concerns so that support and adjustments can be considered.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur in our operations, services, or legal requirements. We seek feedback from employees and clients to improve our practices and ensure that health and safety remains central to the way we deliver cleaning services.

By working together, we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for everyone connected with Harrow Cleaners.