Health and Safety Policy — Hampstead Heath House Clearance

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the responsibilities and procedures for Hampstead Heath House Clearance operations and associated rubbish removal services. The policy aims to protect employees, contractors, residents, and visitors from harm during house clearance, waste removal and disposal activities. It applies across our service area for house clearance Hampstead Heath and adjacent premises where we operate, and should be read alongside applicable statutory obligations and best practice standards.

Scope and application

The policy covers all phases of property clear-outs and waste handling, including initial site inspection, pre-clearance risk assessment, manual handling of bulky items, hazardous material segregation, vehicle loading, and transfer to authorised disposal facilities. It recognises the varied nature of junk removal Hampstead Heath projects and provides generic controls to manage foreseeable hazards. The policy is intended as a legal page statement of our commitment to safety rather than bespoke guidance for individual jobs.

Responsibilities: Management retains overall responsibility for implementing this policy, ensuring resources for safe operations, and maintaining records. Supervisors and team leads must ensure that every clearance team member follows procedures. Workers are required to cooperate, report hazards and use issued personal protective equipment. Key responsibilities include:

• Managers: develop and review risk assessments and allocate competent staff.
• Supervisors: brief teams, enforce controls, and record incidents.
• Operatives: obey safe systems of work, wear PPE, and report faults.

Risk assessment and control measures

House clearance and rubbish removal Hampstead Heath jobs are preceded by a documented risk assessment. Assessments identify manual handling risks, slip and trip hazards, sharp objects, asbestos suspicion, electrical hazards, and biological risks (e.g., mould, animal waste). Control measures include task rotation, mechanical aids, safe lifting techniques, exclusion zones, and emergency access routes. Where hazardous materials are suspected, work will stop and qualified contractors will be engaged.

PPE and equipment: Appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn at all times when on site: high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable to the task, safety boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or aerosols may be present. Tools and lifting aids should be inspected before use. Vehicle securing equipment, such as straps and tailboard supports, must be used to prevent load movement during transit.

Safe working procedures: All clearance activities follow standard operating procedures that reduce exposure to risk. These procedures include clearing access routes before moving items, using two-person lifts for awkward objects, and maintaining good housekeeping to prevent trips. Electrical items are inspected and, if unsafe, removed from the clearance area and segregated for specialist treatment. For bulky waste removal and estate clearances, traffic management measures are implemented to protect operatives and the public.

Hazardous waste and segregation: Items that may contain hazardous components — such as batteries, chemical containers, asbestos-containing materials, or medical waste — must be identified and segregated. Hampstead Heath House Clearance teams will not attempt asbestos removal; suspected materials are cordoned off and an approved contractor engaged. Batteries and electronic waste are placed in designated containers for authorised recycling or disposal under environmental regulations.

Training and competence: Personnel involved in rubbish clearance must receive training in manual handling, PPE use, hazard recognition and incident reporting. Supervisors hold periodic refresher briefings and competency checks. Training records are maintained to ensure team members on house clearance Hampstead Heath duties remain competent and informed of evolving controls and service area requirements.

Vehicle and transport safety: Vehicles used for rubbish removal and house clearance are maintained to roadworthy standards and inspected daily. Loads must be secured and covered where necessary to prevent spillage. Drivers are trained to follow safe loading practices and adhere to local traffic controls when operating near pedestrian areas. Incident prevention measures include reversing aids, clear signage, and supervised loading zones.

Incident reporting and response: All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately and recorded. The incident response includes first aid provision, securing the scene, notifying management, and carrying out an investigation to identify root causes and corrective actions. Where appropriate, incidents are reported to relevant authorities following statutory requirements.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: This policy is reviewed at regular intervals or after a significant incident, change in work activity, or legislative update. Performance monitoring includes site inspections, audit of clearance operations, and review of incident trends. Our commitment is to continuous improvement in health and safety performance for all house clearance and rubbish removal activities across our service area.