Health and Safety Policy for Cleaners Surrey

Purpose and Commitment
Cleaners Surrey is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for all staff, contractors and clients. This document sets out the principles and practical measures adopted by our Surrey cleaning teams to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property. The aim is to ensure that every member of our workforce understands their responsibility for safety and is equipped with the knowledge and resources to perform their role safely. The policy applies to all cleaning activities, whether in residential, commercial or communal settings.

We recognise that effective health and safety management reduces risk and enhances service quality. Our approach is based on risk assessment, training, supervision and continual review. All professional cleaners Surrey employed or contracted by the company will receive clear instructions on safe systems of work, the correct use of equipment and the handling of cleaning materials. We encourage an open reporting culture so hazards are identified and remedied promptly.

Scope and Applicability
This policy covers normal operations and foreseeable exceptional circumstances such as spill response, adverse weather or restricted access situations. It includes safe manual handling procedures, use of powered and mechanical cleaning tools, ladder safety, chemical safety and infection control measures. The term cleaners in Surrey or equivalent will be used throughout to refer to staff and subcontractors working under the company’s direction, irrespective of location or contract type.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures
Systematic risk assessments are carried out for all jobs and premises types. Assessments identify hazards, assess the likelihood and severity of harm, and determine proportionate control measures. Controls follow the hierarchy of elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative actions and personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, where possible hazardous substances are replaced with less harmful alternatives, and wet cleaning tasks are scheduled to reduce slip risk when public access is high.

Training, Competence and Supervision
Surrey cleaners are provided with initial induction training and role-specific refresher sessions. Training covers safe use of cleaning agents, COSHH awareness where relevant, manual handling techniques, correct use of PPE, electrical safety around vacuum cleaners and machines, and safe ladder use. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring competence, monitoring performance and providing additional coaching where needed. Records of training and competency checks are maintained.

Safe Working Practices
The company requires adherence to defined safe working procedures, including:

• pre-start equipment checks and reporting of faults;
• correct storage, labeling and dilution of cleaning chemicals;
• use of signage to warn of wet floors and restricted areas;
• safe manual handling techniques and use of trolleys or mechanical aids;
• maintaining good hygiene and infection prevention measures.

Incident Reporting and Investigation
All incidents, including near-misses, must be reported promptly. Reports are reviewed and where appropriate an investigation is carried out to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. We record findings and share lessons learned with the wider team to prevent recurrence. The policy emphasises a supportive approach that focuses on learning and improvement rather than blame.

Welfare, PPE and Health Support
The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. Appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye protection and slip-resistant footwear is provided where required. We encourage staff to raise health concerns early and support referrals for medical advice if work-related conditions arise. Adjustable equipment, breaks and task rotation are used to reduce fatigue and repetitive strain risks for those performing physically demanding cleaning tasks.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Policy Review

The health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are changes to operations, equipment, legislation or following significant incidents. Performance is monitored through workplace inspections, audits and feedback from staff. We set measurable objectives to reduce incidents and improve compliance. Continuous improvement is driven by management commitment, staff engagement and responsive action to identified issues.