Bow House Clearance — Health & Safety Policy

Bow House Clearance commits to a proactive, documented Health and Safety policy for all operations related to house clearance, rubbish removal and waste management. This policy sets out the standards by which our rubbish company and waste removal teams will operate, ensuring the safety of employees, contractors, clients and members of the public while protecting the environment from improper disposal of materials.

Policy Purpose and Scope

This document applies to every person engaged in our rubbish clearance services, including employees, subcontractors and temporary staff. The aim is to reduce risk through systematic assessment, consistent safe working practices, and continual improvement. The policy covers domestic and commercial house clearance, bulky waste removal and general rubbish clearance operations across our service area.

Commitment and Legal Compliance

Bow House Clearance will comply with all applicable health, safety and environmental legislation and the accepted standards for a professional rubbish company. We will maintain insurance, follow licensing requirements where necessary, and ensure that our waste removal activities meet statutory obligations. Accountability will be clear and transparent: managers are responsible for implementation, and every operative is responsible for safe performance.

Responsibilities

Senior management will provide leadership by ensuring adequate resources for training, equipment and monitoring. Supervisors will carry out regular site checks, and operatives will report hazards promptly. Contractors engaged for specialist tasks must provide evidence of competence. Responsibilities include:

• Risk assessment and recording of hazards associated with each clearance;
• Provision and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Vehicle and load safety for rubbish transport;
• Proper segregation and handling of potentially hazardous materials.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Before any house clearance job, a documented risk assessment will identify manual handling risks, sharps, asbestos suspicion, electrical hazards and biological contamination. Control measures include safe systems of work, two-person lifting where required, mechanical handling aids, and exclusion zones for members of the public. Personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection and hi-vis clothing is mandatory for all operational tasks.

Training, Competence and Supervision

All staff receive induction training and ongoing task-specific training relevant to rubbish removal and house clearance operations. Training records are maintained and reviewed. Supervisors ensure competence before operatives are assigned to unsupervised duties and arrange refresher sessions in manual handling, hazardous waste handling and vehicle safety.

Bow House Clearance operates a permit-to-work approach for high-risk activities and enforces a clear reporting structure for incidents. Near-miss reporting is encouraged to prevent recurrence and to drive continuous improvement across waste collection and clearance activities.

Equipment, Vehicles and Maintenance

All equipment and vehicles used for rubbish clearance are subject to regular inspection and servicing. Load security, proper use of tail lifts and safe access to vehicles are enforced. Any defective plant or vehicle is removed from service until repaired. Records of maintenance and inspections are retained as part of the safety management system.

Handling Hazardous Materials

Materials suspected of containing asbestos, contaminated clinical waste, chemicals or other hazardous substances will be handled only by trained personnel or by licensed contractors where required. Waste streams are segregated and packaged according to regulatory requirements to prevent contamination and environmental harm.

Where sharps or biohazards are found, operatives use approved containment methods and follow established disposal routes. Safety data sheets and appropriate emergency procedures are available for any hazardous substance encountered during a clearance.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

Emergency plans address fire, severe injury, chemical spillage and vehicle incidents. First aid provision and trained first aiders are available for all operational shifts. Incidents are recorded, investigated and used to update procedures to reduce future risk. Fire routes and assembly points are communicated to staff as part of site briefings.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Bow House Clearance will monitor compliance through routine audits, site inspections and performance metrics specific to rubbish clearance operations. Incident trends and audit findings inform corrective actions. The policy is reviewed at least annually or after significant incidents to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

Environmental Protection and Waste Handling

We commit to responsible waste disposal and recycling wherever possible. Our waste removal processes prioritise reuse and recycling and minimise landfill where practical. Environmental controls are integrated into risk assessments and operational procedures to mitigate pollution risks from clearance activities.

Record Keeping and Communication

All training, risk assessments, maintenance records and incident reports are maintained as part of our safety management system. Staff are briefed on policy changes, and the policy is available to interested parties internally. Feedback loops ensure that the rubbish company maintains high standards for safety, service quality and environmental care.

Declaration

Bow House Clearance is committed to the continual improvement of health and safety performance across all house clearance and rubbish removal activities. Senior management endorses this policy and ensures the resources and oversight necessary to deliver safe operations and compliance with legal requirements.

Signed on behalf of Bow House Clearance — This policy is effective immediately and will be regularly reviewed to reflect changing legislation and operational needs within the waste removal and rubbish clearance sector.