Wandsworth Carpet Cleaners Health and Safety Policy
Wandsworth Carpet Cleaners is committed to providing carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our customers, our team members and the public. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks, preventing accidents and ensuring that our working practices are safe, professional and compliant with relevant health and safety legislation.
Policy aims and responsibilities
The primary aim of this policy is to prevent injury and ill health arising from our cleaning activities. We will identify and control risks, provide appropriate information and training, and continually improve our safety performance.
Overall responsibility for health and safety within Wandsworth Carpet Cleaners rests with the company management. Management will ensure that suitable resources are made available to implement and maintain this policy. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day to day implementation, including communicating safe systems of work and monitoring compliance on site.
All employees, contractors and temporary staff have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Everyone is expected to follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, report hazards and near misses, and cooperate fully with risk assessments and investigations.
Risk assessment and safe working practices
We carry out risk assessments for our core activities, including hot water extraction cleaning, low moisture cleaning, stain treatment, deodorising, use of mechanical equipment and handling cleaning chemicals. Site specific assessments are conducted where required, for example in multi storey buildings, commercial premises or locations with unusual access or flooring types.
Control measures identified in risk assessments are implemented through safe working procedures. These include safe use of hoses, wands, vacuum units, portable machines, electrical cables and accessories; careful placement of equipment to avoid trip hazards; and clear communication with customers about areas temporarily out of use during cleaning.
Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to equipment, products, work methods or legislation.
Chemical safety and COSHH
We use professional cleaning solutions and stain treatments in the course of our work. All chemicals are selected with safety in mind and are used strictly in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant regulations.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessments are completed for all products that require them. These assessments cover storage, handling, dilution, application, ventilation, personal protective equipment and emergency procedures. Safety data information is kept available to technicians for reference.
Chemicals are transported securely in vehicles and stored safely to prevent leakage, accidental mixing or unauthorised access. Only trained staff are allowed to handle concentrated products, and containers are always clearly labelled.
Equipment safety and maintenance
Wandsworth Carpet Cleaners ensures that all cleaning machines, vacuum units, power tools and accessories are suitable for professional use and maintained in a safe condition. Equipment is inspected regularly, and any item found to be defective is taken out of service until repaired or replaced.
Technicians are trained in the correct setup, use and shutdown of all equipment, including management of power cables and hoses to minimise trip and electrical risks. Only trained personnel may use specialist or high powered machines.
Where extension leads are required, they are chosen and used in line with safety guidelines. Equipment is not overloaded, and cleaning operations are planned to avoid creating hazards in narrow corridors, staircases or shared access routes.
Electrical safety and water use
As a carpet and upholstery cleaning company, we routinely use water and electrical equipment together. Particular care is taken to separate water sources from electrical sockets and plugs. Machines are positioned to reduce the risk of splashing or leaks near power outlets.
Technicians visually inspect cables and plugs before use and do not use damaged equipment. Where possible, residual current device protection is used. Any water spills are cleaned promptly, and customers are advised of damp areas to avoid slips.
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment is provided where necessary, based on risk assessments. This may include gloves, eye protection, masks or respirators for specific tasks, and protective footwear. All staff are instructed in the correct selection, use, cleaning and storage of protective equipment.
PPE is regarded as a last line of defence and does not replace the need for safe systems of work, good housekeeping and appropriate control measures at source.
Manual handling and physical wellbeing
Our work can involve lifting and moving machines, hoses and furniture. Wandsworth Carpet Cleaners provides manual handling guidance and training to reduce the risk of strains and musculoskeletal injuries. Staff are instructed to use mechanical aids where available, to avoid lifting heavy items alone, and to request assistance when needed.
Where furniture needs to be moved to enable cleaning, this is planned carefully, with attention to posture, weight distribution and safe routes. Items that are too heavy, fragile or unsafe to move may be left in position, and customers will be informed.
Protection of customers, occupants and the public
We plan our cleaning work to minimise disruption and protect those present on site. Where necessary, signage is used to indicate wet floors, restricted access or equipment in use. Hoses and cables are routed to avoid doorways and walkways wherever practicable.
Children, pets and vulnerable occupants are kept away from active work areas, chemicals and equipment for their safety. We ensure adequate ventilation during and after cleaning, particularly where odours or airborne moisture may temporarily increase.
Training, information and supervision
All technicians receive induction training covering our Health and Safety Policy, safe systems of work, emergency procedures and the correct use of equipment and cleaning chemicals. Additional training is provided when new methods or products are introduced.
Supervision is proportionate to the experience of staff and the complexity of work being undertaken. Refresher training and toolbox talks are provided to reinforce good practice and address recurring issues identified in audits or incident reports.
Accident reporting and emergency procedures
Any accident, incident, near miss or property damage occurring during our operations must be reported promptly to management. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement improvements to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Technicians are briefed on basic first aid response, spill containment and safe evacuation. In the event of a serious incident, emergency services are contacted without delay and the area is made as safe as possible.
Housekeeping and environmental considerations
Good housekeeping is an essential part of safe working. Work areas are kept as tidy as possible, and waste is collected and removed at the end of each job. We aim to minimise water usage and avoid unnecessary discharge, using appropriate methods for waste water disposal in line with local requirements.
Empty chemical containers are handled and disposed of safely. We look for opportunities to use cleaning solutions that are effective yet have a reduced environmental impact, without compromising safety or quality of service.
Monitoring, review and policy availability
Wandsworth Carpet Cleaners monitors compliance with this Health and Safety Policy through site checks, maintenance records, incident analysis and staff feedback. Where improvements are identified, procedures and training are updated accordingly.
This policy is reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or legal requirements. The latest version is available to employees, contractors and customers on request, and forms an integral part of our commitment to safe and reliable carpet and upholstery cleaning services.
