Health And Safety Policy
Health and Safety Policy for Putney Carpet Cleaning
Putney Carpet Cleaning is committed to providing professional carpet, upholstery and floor cleaning services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, contractors, visitors and the general public. We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities and aim to continually improve our safety performance across all jobs and locations we serve.
Our Health and Safety Commitment
We will conduct all cleaning activities in a manner that prevents injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm. Senior management is responsible for ensuring appropriate resources, equipment and training are provided so that safe working practices are followed at all times.
Every employee and contractor working on behalf of Putney Carpet Cleaning has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, and to cooperate with the company in implementing this policy.
Management Responsibilities
Management at Putney Carpet Cleaning will:
Ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment of health and safety risks is carried out for all work activities, including domestic and commercial cleaning jobs.
Provide and maintain safe systems of work, including standard operating procedures for carpet cleaning, stain treatment, upholstery cleaning, hard floor care and specialist services.
Supply and maintain safe and suitable work equipment, detergents and cleaning solutions, and ensure they are used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety guidance.
Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is selected, provided, worn and maintained where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.
Provide information, instruction, supervision and training so that employees are competent to carry out their duties safely.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses and take prompt action to prevent recurrence.
Review this Health and Safety policy and associated procedures regularly, and revise them as necessary in line with changes in legislation, best practice and company operations.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors working for Putney Carpet Cleaning are required to:
Work safely and considerately at all times to protect themselves, colleagues, clients and members of the public.
Follow company health and safety procedures and safe working methods provided in training and instructions.
Use personal protective equipment and safety equipment as instructed, and report any defects or issues immediately.
Cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy, including taking part in relevant training, briefings and safety discussions.
Report all accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards and unsafe conditions without delay so that corrective action can be taken.
Refrain from any misuse of equipment or substances that may put themselves or others at risk.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Before starting work at a client property or commercial premises, our staff will assess the area to identify potential hazards such as slips and trips, trailing cables, wet floors, restricted access, manual handling risks, electrical hazards and the presence of children, pets or vulnerable persons.
Control measures may include clear signage, establishing safe walkways, securing hoses and cables, using warning cones for wet floors, avoiding blocked exits, and planning work sequences to minimise disruption and risk.
Our cleaning methods are designed to control exposure to chemicals, noise, vibration and other occupational hazards. We favour low risk products where possible and follow usage instructions carefully. Ventilation is used where appropriate, and containers are labelled and stored safely in vehicles and on site.
Chemical Safety and COSHH
Putney Carpet Cleaning selects cleaning solutions with regard to both cleaning performance and safety. We comply with relevant regulations for the control of substances hazardous to health and maintain information on the safe use of each product.
Staff are trained in correct dilution, application, storage and disposal procedures. Chemicals are never decanted into unlabelled containers. Where necessary, gloves, eye protection or masks are worn, and particular care is taken in enclosed spaces and where clients, children or pets may be present.
Equipment, Vehicles and Electrical Safety
All equipment used for carpet and upholstery cleaning, including portable extractors, vacuums, scrubbers and accessories, is inspected and maintained in safe working order. Defective items are taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Electrical equipment is visually inspected before use and connected only to suitable power sources. Staff are instructed not to overload sockets, not to use damaged cables and to avoid contact with water where this could create an electrical hazard.
Company vehicles are maintained to a safe standard, loaded securely and used in accordance with road safety requirements. Drivers must be appropriately licensed and follow safe driving practices, including careful parking and unloading in residential streets and commercial areas.
Manual Handling and Physical Safety
Carpet cleaning often involves moving furniture, equipment and supplies. Putney Carpet Cleaning trains staff in safe lifting and handling techniques, and encourages the use of handling aids and team lifting where necessary.
Heavy or awkward items should not be moved without assessing the risk and, where appropriate, seeking assistance or adjusting the cleaning method. Staff are instructed to avoid overreaching, working on unstable surfaces or attempting tasks beyond their physical capabilities.
Client, Visitor and Public Safety
Our working practices are designed to minimise disruption and risk to clients, visitors and the general public. During cleaning operations, we take care to control access to wet or treated areas, clearly communicate any hazards and keep work areas as tidy as possible.
We will, where reasonable, accommodate client needs and any specific safety concerns in homes, offices, shops or communal areas, including consideration for vulnerable individuals, pets and people with allergies or sensitivities.
Training, Supervision and Continuous Improvement
Putney Carpet Cleaning provides appropriate induction and ongoing training covering general health and safety, safe use of chemicals and equipment, manual handling, site-specific precautions and emergency arrangements.
Supervisors monitor working practices and address any unsafe behaviours or conditions. Lessons learned from incidents, feedback from staff and clients, and changes in industry guidance are used to improve our procedures.
This Health and Safety policy is communicated to all employees and is available to clients and other interested parties on request. By following this policy, Putney Carpet Cleaning aims to deliver reliable cleaning services while maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved.
