House Clearance Honor Oak — Health and Safety Policy

House Clearance Honor Oak operates a clear and comprehensive Health and Safety Policy that applies to all aspects of our house clearance and rubbish removal services. This policy sets out responsibilities, risk controls and safe systems of work to protect employees, contractors, clients and the general public. It is the aim of the clearance company to deliver efficient waste clearance and rubbish collection while maintaining the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship across the service area.

All staff and sub-contractors engaged in waste clearance, bulky rubbish removal or salvage work are provided with relevant induction and role-specific training. Roles and responsibilities are defined and documented: managers ensure policies are implemented, supervisors monitor site safety and operatives follow safe working practices. The policy emphasises safe manual handling, correct use of lifting equipment, vehicle loading protocols and the segregation of materials to reduce hazards associated with mixed waste streams.

The company conducts dynamic risk assessments at each site and prior to every job. These assessments consider potential hazards such as sharp objects, hazardous household chemicals, asbestos risks in older properties, trip and fall hazards on stairways and in gardens, and traffic or public access dangers. Where an elevated risk is identified, additional controls are implemented including exclusion zones, temporary barriers, or the use of specialist contractors for hazardous waste removal. Preventive measures and emergency procedures are documented and regularly reviewed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided to all operatives and its use is mandatory where indicated by the risk assessment. Standard PPE includes gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or fumes are present. The company enforces regular PPE checks, replacement schedules and training on correct PPE use. Staff are encouraged to report damaged or missing equipment immediately so that substitutions or repairs can be made without delay.

Vehicle safety is central to our rubbish company operations. All vans and lorries used for waste clearance undergo scheduled maintenance and safety checks. Load securing and safe stacking protocols are enforced to prevent shifting loads and spillage during transit. Drivers receive training in defensive driving and load management to minimise on-road hazards. Incident reporting systems enable timely investigation and corrective action following any vehicular or workplace incident.

The policy includes clearly defined procedures for handling hazardous or potentially hazardous materials, including a requirement to segregate and label materials for proper disposal. Our teams follow local and national waste regulations for the disposal of chemicals, electronics, batteries and contaminated items, and they will use licensed hazardous waste treatment routes when required. A safety-first approach ensures that improper disposal or unsafe handling is avoided.

Operational Controls and Safe Working Practices

Operational controls include pre-job surveys, safe lifting techniques, two-person lifts for heavy items, use of mechanical aids such as trolleys and lifting straps, and clear communication protocols on site. Supervisors perform toolbox talks before complex jobs and verify that permits and permissions for site access are in place. The policy also details procedures for working in confined spaces and on multi-storey properties, emphasising fall prevention and secure access.

Training, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

The company maintains a training matrix that records competency levels for all tasks relevant to the clearance business. Regular refresher courses, scenario drills and updates following regulatory changes ensure that staff remain competent and confident. Monitoring is achieved through routine site audits, spot checks and weekly safety briefings. Non-conformances are logged, acted upon and reviewed to support continuous improvement.

Incident management procedures ensure prompt response to injury, near-miss or environmental incidents. All incidents are recorded, investigated and analysed to identify root causes and to prevent recurrence. Corrective and preventive actions are prioritized and tracked. The company supports a culture of open reporting where operatives are encouraged to raise safety concerns without fear of reprisal.

Welfare and wellbeing provisions include access to clean facilities, hydration, rest breaks and support for mental health where needed. The business recognises that good welfare contributes to safe operations and reduces the risk of accidents caused by fatigue or stress. Health screening and fitness-to-work considerations are used where tasks are physically demanding.

Key principles of the policy are summarised below to assist staff and clients in understanding our approach to safety:

• Prevent: eliminate or reduce hazards through planning and control measures.
• Protect: provide PPE, training and supervision to maintain safe systems of work.
• Respond: maintain clear incident and emergency procedures with rapid reporting and investigation.

Implementation of this policy is supported by documented procedures, regular review cycles and senior management commitment. While the business provides a dedicated house clearance and rubbish removal service covering an established service area, the policy remains deliberately non-prescriptive about locality-specific details in this legal document. The emphasis is on consistently applied safety standards, legal compliance, environmental responsibility and the wellbeing of everyone involved in the clearance process.