Kennington Cleaners Health and Safety Policy

Kennington Cleaners is committed to providing professional cleaning services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety and forms an integral part of our day to day operations.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and incidents arising from our cleaning activities. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls. Health and safety considerations are given equal priority to quality, productivity and customer service in all planning and operational decisions.

Management will provide the resources, information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to maintain safe working conditions. Every employee and contractor working on behalf of Kennington Cleaners is required to cooperate with this policy and to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others.

Legal Responsibilities and Management Duties

Kennington Cleaners will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and industry guidance applicable to the cleaning sector. We will review updates to legal requirements and adapt our procedures accordingly.

Overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the company management, who will ensure that suitable arrangements are in place for implementing this policy. Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Ensuring risk assessments are completed, implemented and reviewed for all cleaning tasks and locations. Providing appropriate training, supervision and equipment for employees. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses and putting corrective actions in place. Promoting a positive safety culture and leading by example in safe working practices.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:

Follow the training, instructions and procedures provided for their work. Use cleaning products, tools and equipment safely and only for their intended purpose. Wear the personal protective equipment supplied and maintain it in good condition. Immediately report any accidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe conditions to their supervisor. Refrain from engaging in horseplay, misuse of equipment or any action that could endanger themselves or others.

No employee is required to work in conditions that they believe to be unsafe. Concerns should be raised promptly so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Kennington Cleaners conducts risk assessments for all significant tasks, including general cleaning, deep cleaning, floor care, window cleaning and specialist services. These assessments consider hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, work at height, chemical exposure, electrical safety and lone working.

Based on these assessments we establish safe systems of work, including clear step by step procedures, selection of suitable equipment and specification of required protective measures. These systems are communicated to employees and reviewed regularly or whenever work methods or conditions change.

Use of Cleaning Chemicals and Hazardous Substances

Chemicals and other hazardous substances used in our cleaning services are selected, stored and used in line with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety regulations. We will:

Keep an inventory of substances used and maintain up to date safety information. Ensure all containers are clearly labelled and stored securely when not in use. Provide training on safe handling, dilution, application and disposal of cleaning chemicals. Avoid unnecessary use of hazardous products and substitute safer alternatives where practical.

Employees must never mix chemicals, decant them into unlabelled containers or remove safety labels. Any spills or exposure incidents must be reported and managed using the procedures provided in training.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, eye protection, masks, safety footwear and high visibility clothing, will be provided where risk assessments indicate it is necessary. Employees are required to wear the PPE specified for each task and location, check it before use and report any defects immediately so that it can be replaced.

Manual Handling and Equipment Safety

To reduce the risk of strain injuries, employees receive manual handling training relevant to cleaning activities, including lifting, carrying and use of trolleys and equipment. Heavy or awkward items are to be moved using appropriate aids or with assistance.

All cleaning machinery and electrical equipment will be maintained in safe working condition, inspected regularly and removed from service if defective. Employees must not attempt unauthorised repairs and should only use equipment for which they have been trained and authorised.

Working on Client Premises

When working in offices, homes and other client premises, Kennington Cleaners staff must respect any site specific rules and emergency procedures. We will coordinate with clients to ensure that our activities do not endanger their staff, visitors or residents.

Work areas will be kept tidy, with cables managed to prevent trip hazards and warning signs used where floors are wet or cleaning is in progress. Doors, windows and security arrangements will be managed carefully and premises left secure on completion of work.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses, injuries and hazardous incidents must be reported as soon as possible. Management will investigate these events to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Employees receive instructions on emergency procedures, including fire evacuation routes, first aid arrangements and actions to take in the event of chemical spills or other serious incidents. Cooperation with on site emergency arrangements is mandatory at all times.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Health and safety training is provided as part of staff induction and refreshed as necessary. Additional task specific training is given for specialist services, equipment or environments. Records of training are maintained and used to ensure staff remain competent for their roles.

Health and safety information, updates and instructions are communicated through briefings, toolbox talks and written guidance. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas for improving safety and to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Kennington Cleaners monitors health and safety performance through regular inspections, audits, incident analysis and feedback from staff and clients. This policy and the procedures supporting it will be reviewed periodically, and whenever significant changes occur in our services, to ensure they remain effective and appropriate.

Our goal is continuous improvement in health and safety standards, providing reliable and safe cleaning services while protecting everyone affected by our work.