Maidavale House Clearance Health & Safety Policy

Maidavale House Clearance (the clearance company) is committed to providing a safe working environment for all employees, contractors and members of the public affected by our house clearance and rubbish removal activities. This policy sets out the standards and responsibilities that govern all waste removal, house clearance services and rubbish collection operations we undertake. It applies to permanent staff, temporary workers and subcontractors engaged by the company.

Our objectives are to prevent accidents and work-related ill health, to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety law, and to promote continuous improvement in safety performance. The policy covers manual handling, vehicle operations, handling of bulky waste and recycling, and safe working around properties. It is the responsibility of management to implement the policy and of staff to follow it.

The company places emphasis on risk assessment and method statements for each clearance assignment. Before work starts, a competent person will assess hazards such as unstable loads, hazardous materials, sharp objects and trip or fall risks. Control measures will be identified, including the use of mechanical aids, safe lifting techniques, personal protective equipment (PPE) and exclusion zones where required.

Responsibilities and Duties

Senior management will ensure adequate resources, training and supervision are available to perform rubbish removal operations safely. Line managers must ensure that employees are instructed, trained and competent to carry out house clearance tasks. Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and to report hazardous conditions or incidents immediately.

Contractors and visitors to sites must comply with the company’s safety procedures and are responsible for coordinating with Maidavale staff to avoid conflicting activities that could increase risk. We insist on written confirmation that subcontractors follow equivalent safety standards where they provide specialised services such as hazardous waste disposal.

To support safe operations the company enforces the use of appropriate PPE, which may include gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, protective eyewear and respiratory protection where dust or harmful substances are present. Use of PPE is a minimum control; where practical controls such as segregation, containment and ventilation can reduce exposure, these should be implemented first.

Safe Work Practices

Manual handling tasks are frequently encountered in house clearance and rubbish collection. Workers will be trained in safe lifting techniques and encouraged to use trolleys, sack trucks and lifting aids to minimise strain. Loads that are too heavy or awkward must be assessed and an alternative method used to protect staff health. Mechanical assistance is preferred to reduce manual effort whenever possible.

Vehicle safety is integral to our service: all drivers and loaders must receive specific instruction on safe loading, securing loads and vehicle checks. Vehicles used for waste removal should be maintained to a high standard and inspected before each shift. Records of maintenance and safety checks are kept to demonstrate compliance and to identify trends requiring attention.

Waste segregation and handling procedures aim to reduce environmental impact and minimise hazard. The following controls are standard practice:

• Segregate recyclable materials from general waste.
• Identify and isolate hazardous items such as batteries, asbestos-containing materials and chemicals.
• Use labelled containers and secure loads to prevent spillage.

Incident reporting and investigation are mandatory. Any accident, near miss or occupational illness must be reported promptly and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Records will be maintained and used to inform training updates and risk controls. Learning from events is essential to prevent recurrence and to improve our rubbish removal service delivery.

Emergency procedures are in place for first aid, fire and spillage. Staff receive instruction on emergency response, assembly points and the use of spill kits. First aid equipment is accessible, and persons with first aid responsibilities are trained to a standard appropriate to the size and nature of operations.

Training, competence and supervision are cornerstones of this policy. Induction training covers safety rules, PPE, manual handling and the correct handling of different types of waste encountered in house clearance operations. Periodic refresher training, toolbox talks and on-site supervision ensure that knowledge remains current and that staff understand the practical application of controls during rubbish collection tasks.

Monitoring, audit and review of this health and safety policy are undertaken regularly to assess performance and to ensure controls remain effective. The company will set measurable safety objectives and review them annually or after any significant change in operations. Continuous improvement is supported by regular inspections, data review and employee consultation.

Environmental compliance is integral: the company commits to lawful disposal and to minimising environmental harm through appropriate handling, recycling and waste carrier practices. Hazardous waste will be identified, segregated and disposed of using licensed facilities and procedures that meet regulatory requirements.

All personnel are expected to co-operate with this policy. Non-compliance will be addressed through disciplinary processes where necessary, but the primary aim is to foster a positive safety culture among staff, subcontractors and partners. This health and safety policy underlines our commitment to operate as a responsible clearance company and rubbish removal provider while protecting people and the environment.