Health and Safety Policy — Richmond House Clearance

Richmond House Clearance is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across all house clearance and rubbish removal operations. This policy describes our approach to managing risks associated with a professional rubbish company service area and related waste removal activities. Our objective is to protect employees, contractors, clients, visitors and the public by preventing injury, ill health and damage to property or the environment. The policy applies to every task undertaken by our clearance company, from domestic house clearances to commercial waste collection and transportation.

We carry out regular risk assessments and review safe systems of work to ensure that operations are planned, supervised and executed with due care. The policy emphasises that safety is a shared responsibility: managers are responsible for implementing controls and workers must follow safe methods. Training programmes are provided so staff understand their duties, the correct use of personal protective equipment, and the specific hazards encountered on a rubbish removal or house clearance assignment. We also monitor performance with regular inspections and safety briefings.

Scope and definitions: The policy covers all activities within our waste clearance and rubbish removal services, including but not limited to item sorting, bulk rubbish collection, recycling segregation, safe lifting and vehicle loading. The term house clearance services refers to the clearance of domestic properties, while rubbish removal and waste collection refer to the broader range of domestic and commercial work we carry out in the designated service area. Hazardous waste is managed according to statutory requirements and specialist contractors are engaged where necessary.

Responsibilities, Training and Competence

Management responsibilities include ensuring that sufficient resources are provided for safety, that risk assessments are completed and updated, and that safe procedures are communicated to all staff. Supervisors must confirm that each team member is competent for the task and fit for work. Vehicles and equipment used for waste clearance are regularly maintained, and drivers are trained in secure loading techniques and road safety to minimise risk during rubbish collection runs.

Employee responsibilities include following documented safe methods, reporting hazards or near misses immediately, and using the correct protective equipment. We have a clear induction and refresher training schedule which covers manual handling techniques, use of mechanical aids, control of hazardous substances, and emergency procedures relevant to a clearance company or rubbish collection service. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to safety improvements.

Operational controls are set out in written procedures. These include safe lifting limits, use of gloves, eye protection and high-visibility clothing, safe stacking and containment of waste, segregation for recycling, and clear labelling for any potentially harmful materials. For heavy or bulky items we use team lifts or lifting aids to reduce strain and risk of injury during house clearances or larger rubbish removal jobs.

Risk Management, Incident Response and Environmental Considerations

Risk assessments are central to our approach and are conducted before work begins on every site. Typical hazards include manual handling, sharps, potential asbestos in older properties, hazardous liquids, slips, trips and falls, and vehicle movements during roadside collections. Where hazards are identified we implement specific control measures and communicate these to the team. Waste safety protocols ensure that items likely to cause harm are isolated and handled by trained personnel only.

Incident reporting and first response: All incidents, injuries and near misses are recorded and investigated promptly to identify root causes and avoid recurrence. First aid provisions are available during operations and supervisors are trained to manage emergencies until professional services take over. We cooperate with emergency responders and provide accurate site information to ensure a swift, safe resolution to any incident arising during a clearance or rubbish collection task.

Environmental protection is integral to our health and safety policy. We aim to reduce landfill use through segregation and recycling, and ensure safe, compliant disposal of hazardous materials through authorised waste carriers. Vehicle routes and site processes are planned to minimise emissions and reduce the risk of spills. Handling procedures for batteries, electronic waste, solvents and other regulated items are strictly observed to protect the community and the environment within our rubbish company service area.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement form the final element of this policy. Regular audits, workplace inspections and feedback from staff are used to measure performance and identify opportunities for improvement. The policy is reviewed at least annually or whenever there are significant changes in operations, regulations or incidents. Our commitment is to maintain an evolving safety programme that reflects best practice for house clearance, rubbish collection and waste removal operations.

Key commitments include:

• Pre-job risk assessment for every site and task
• Provision of appropriate PPE and training for all staff
• Safe vehicle operation, loading and unloading procedures for rubbish transport
• Compliance with waste handling regulations and use of licensed disposal routes
• Clear incident reporting and corrective action processes

Policy ownership: The senior management team retains overall responsibility for the policy and for resourcing the safety programme. All employees are required to familiarise themselves with the policy and apply it in day-to-day operations. By maintaining robust health and safety standards across our clearance company and rubbish removal services, we protect people, property and the environment while delivering reliable, responsible rubbish collection and removal across our service area.