Health And Safety Policy
Sutton Cleaners Health and Safety Policy
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures that Sutton Cleaners follows to safeguard the wellbeing of our employees, contractors, clients, and members of the public. Our cleaning operations involve the use of chemicals, equipment, and manual handling, and we are committed to managing these activities in a way that minimises risk and promotes a safe working environment at all times.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Sutton Cleaners aims to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. We work to provide safe methods of work, suitable welfare arrangements, and appropriate information, instruction, and training to everyone involved in our cleaning services.
We continuously review our procedures and working practices to ensure they remain effective and aligned with current health and safety standards relevant to the cleaning industry.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Sutton Cleaners holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes establishing and updating this policy, providing adequate resources to implement it, and ensuring that safety considerations are embedded in all operational decisions.
Management will regularly review risk assessments, investigate incidents and near misses, and take corrective actions where necessary. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff follow safe working procedures, wear any required personal protective equipment, and report hazards or concerns without delay.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees of Sutton Cleaners share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Staff must cooperate with management in implementing this policy, follow all safety instructions and training, and use cleaning products and equipment only as directed.
Employees are required to report hazards, defective equipment, accidents, and near misses to their supervisor as soon as possible. Staff must never misuse any equipment or safety provisions and should always act in a way that protects their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Sutton Cleaners conducts risk assessments for all significant cleaning activities, including general cleaning, deep cleaning, carpet and upholstery work, window cleaning within safe reach, and specialist tasks where applicable. These assessments identify potential hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, exposure to cleaning chemicals, electrical risks, and working in client premises.
Based on these assessments, we implement safe systems of work and provide clear method statements. Staff are briefed on the specific controls for each job, such as safe routes, correct product use, equipment checks, and necessary protective equipment.
Use of Chemicals and Cleaning Products
The safe use of cleaning chemicals is a priority for Sutton Cleaners. We only use products that are suitable for professional cleaning and follow the manufacturer instructions for dilution, application, and storage. Safety information for each product is made available to staff and used as a basis for training and risk assessment.
Employees must never mix chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so by the product information and their training. Chemicals are stored securely, in original containers with intact labels, and transported safely to and from client sites to minimise the risk of spills or exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, Sutton Cleaners provides appropriate personal protective equipment. This may include gloves, eye protection, masks, aprons, and non-slip footwear, depending on the task and environment.
Employees are required to wear the protective equipment provided, keep it in good condition, and report any loss or damage immediately so that replacements can be arranged. PPE is selected to match the specific hazards identified in the risk assessments.
Manual Handling and Use of Equipment
Sutton Cleaners trains staff in safe manual handling techniques to reduce the risk of strains and injuries when lifting, carrying, or moving equipment and materials. Wherever possible, we use trolleys or other aids to minimise the need for heavy lifting.
All electrical and mechanical cleaning equipment used by Sutton Cleaners is maintained in safe working condition. Equipment is inspected regularly and removed from service if any defect is discovered. Staff must carry out basic pre-use checks and use equipment only for its intended purpose.
Working on Client Premises
Our teams often work in occupied homes, offices, and other premises. Sutton Cleaners takes care to plan work so that disruption is minimised and safety is maintained for everyone present.
Staff are trained to maintain safe access and egress, manage cables and equipment to prevent tripping hazards, use signage where appropriate to indicate wet floors or restricted areas, and respect any specific site rules or instructions provided by the client.
Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to Sutton Cleaners management as soon as practicable. Accurate records are kept so that trends can be identified, and improvements made to prevent recurrence.
Employees are briefed on what to do in an emergency, including first aid arrangements, evacuation procedures, and contacting emergency services where necessary. Any incident involving chemical spills, injuries, or damage to client property is treated seriously and investigated promptly.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Sutton Cleaners ensures that all staff receive suitable health and safety training when they join the company and on an ongoing basis as tasks, equipment, or products change. This training covers general safety awareness as well as specific procedures relevant to the types of cleaning work undertaken.
Supervision is provided according to the level of experience and competence of staff. No employee is asked to carry out a task for which they have not been trained or are not adequately supervised.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in our operations, working methods, or relevant guidance. Feedback from employees and clients, along with the findings of incident investigations, is used to improve our safety performance.
Sutton Cleaners is committed to fostering a culture where health and safety are integral to every aspect of our cleaning services, ensuring that our work is carried out professionally, responsibly, and with care for everyone affected.
