Feltham House Clearance — Health & Safety Policy

Feltham House Clearance provides a clear, concise Health and Safety policy that applies to all aspects of house clearing, rubbish removal and waste handling across our service area. This document sets out responsibilities, safe working practices and risk management measures designed to protect our staff, clients and the environment. It is intended to be a generic legal page for a refuse and rubbish company operating in and around the locality without relying on detailed local bylaws. The approach emphasises prevention, compliance and continuous improvement.

The policy covers house clearance Feltham services, including domestic clear-outs, loft and garage clearance, garden waste collection, and bulky item removal. Key principles are hazard identification, risk assessment, safe systems of work and training. All operatives will follow documented procedures for lifting and handling, manual tasks, vehicle loading, segregation of materials and safe disposal or recycling of waste. Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, traffic management on site and procedures for hazardous items are included.

Responsibilities and Competence

Management has a duty to establish and maintain this health and safety policy for all forms of rubbish clearance and waste removal activity. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are current and that staff are competent to carry out assigned duties. Employees are required to follow instructions, use PPE and report hazards promptly. Contractors and sub-contractors engaged for specific tasks must meet the same standards and provide evidence of training and insurance where required.

Training and competence form a central part of the policy: induction training, manual handling courses, waste classification awareness and safe vehicle operation are mandatory. A written record of training, toolbox talks and incident debriefs will be maintained. The policy also emphasises mental wellbeing and fatigue management for those undertaking repetitive or physically demanding house clearances and rubbish collections.

Risk assessments will be completed before every clearance. Typical risks addressed include sharps and contaminated items, asbestos suspicion, chemicals and solvents, vermin, fly-tipping hotspots, and sharps hazardous waste. Control measures range from exclusion and specialist removal to safe segregation and labelling of hazardous materials. Where materials are suspected to be contaminated, specialist removal procedures will be invoked immediately.

Safe Working Practices

Safe systems include pre-job site checks, clear method statements, correct use of lifting aids and trolleys, and vehicle loading limits. The policy outlines the use of appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, and steel-toe footwear. Procedures are in place for working at height, confined spaces, and dealing with large bulky removals using team lifts or mechanical aids. Emphasis is placed on correct manual handling techniques to reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

Waste segregation and environmental controls are fundamental. All waste is classified and handled according to regulatory standards with segregation for recyclable materials, general refuse and hazardous items. Spill kits, first-aid equipment and fire extinguishers are available in vehicles and facilities. An incident reporting and investigation procedure ensures lessons are learned and corrective actions are implemented.

Emergency preparedness is outlined, including first-aid arrangements, emergency contacts, and procedures for dealing with medical emergencies, chemical exposures, fires and vehicle incidents. Regular drills and reviews of emergency procedures ensure readiness. The document also specifies record-keeping requirements for accidents, near-misses, training and equipment inspections.

Compliance and monitoring are achieved through routine inspections, audits and performance reviews. The policy sets measurable objectives such as reducing incident rates, improving recycling rates and increasing staff training hours. A clear escalation path for non-compliance and a programme for corrective actions support continuous improvement. Feltham rubbish removal operations are audited periodically to ensure procedures remain effective and relevant.

Key elements of the policy are summarised below:

• Risk assessment and method statements for each clearance job.
• PPE and equipment standards and maintenance schedules.
• Training, competence and supervision requirements.
• Waste segregation and environmental controls to maximise recycling and safe disposal.
• Incident reporting, investigation and corrective actions.

Review and revision of this policy occur at planned intervals, following incidents, or when statutory changes require updates. The policy is a living document intended to reflect best practice for house clearances and rubbish collection activities across our operational area. It aligns with general health and safety legislation and with sector-specific guidance for waste carriers and clearance companies.

Implementation of the policy relies on cooperation between management, staff and contractors. Regular communication, refresher training and visible leadership ensure that health and safety principles are embedded into daily operations. The company promotes a safety-first culture in all house clearing projects, whether small domestic clear-outs or larger estate-scale rubbish clearance operations.

By following this policy, Feltham House Clearance and affiliated teams aim to deliver safe, compliant and environmentally responsible waste removal and clearance services, protecting people and property while maintaining operational efficiency in the rubbish clearance sector.