Health and Safety Policy for Finsbury Park Cleaner

Finsbury Park Cleaner is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, clients, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our cleaning activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks and maintaining high standards of safety across all cleaning services we provide.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent accidents, work-related ill health, and damage to property arising from our cleaning operations. We aim to achieve continual improvement in health and safety performance by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures. Health and safety considerations are integral to our planning, decision making, and day-to-day activities.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management has overall responsibility for ensuring that this Health and Safety policy is implemented, maintained, and reviewed regularly. Management will allocate sufficient resources, including time, equipment, and training, to ensure that health and safety standards are met. Managers and supervisors are responsible for monitoring working practices, ensuring that staff follow safe systems of work, and promptly addressing any issues that could impact safety.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must cooperate fully with management, follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, defects, near misses, or incidents without delay. Employees must not misuse or interfere with any equipment or measures provided for health and safety purposes.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our cleaning activities to identify potential hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, working at height, use of cleaning chemicals, use of machinery, and lone working. Based on these assessments, we implement safe systems of work, including clear procedures, suitable equipment, signage, and protective measures tailored to each location and task. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in processes, equipment, or work locations.

Use of Cleaning Chemicals and Hazardous Substances

We manage cleaning chemicals and other hazardous substances in line with recognised safety principles. All substances are evaluated before use, and where necessary, safety data and risk control measures are reviewed to ensure exposure is minimised. Staff receive guidance on correct dilution, application, storage, and disposal of products. Chemicals are kept in appropriate containers, clearly labelled, and stored securely away from unauthorised access. Staff must use only approved products supplied or authorised by Finsbury Park Cleaner.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment is provided, which may include gloves, eye protection, masks, footwear, or other items depending on the task. Employees are required to wear and use the equipment as instructed, to look after it, and to report any loss or damage so that it can be replaced or repaired. Management is responsible for ensuring that personal protective equipment is suitable for the work, maintained in good condition, and readily available.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Many cleaning tasks involve manual handling of equipment, waste, and materials. To reduce the risk of injury, we provide training on safe lifting and carrying techniques and supply suitable aids such as trolleys or mop systems where appropriate. All cleaning machines and tools are selected, maintained, and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety guidance. Defective equipment must not be used and should be reported immediately so it can be removed from service.

Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention

We recognise that wet floors, trailing cables, and obstructed walkways are common causes of accidents in cleaning environments. Our working methods are designed to minimise these risks by using appropriate signage, cord management, and work scheduling. Where possible, we clean at times that reduce disruption and ensure that floors can dry safely. Staff must use warning signs in all areas where floors are wet or hazardous and must keep cleaning materials and equipment neatly stored when not in use.

Lone Working and Out of Hours Work

Some cleaning tasks may be carried out outside normal business hours or in locations where staff work alone. To manage the associated risks, we evaluate each location and implement appropriate communication and check-in procedures. Employees are expected to follow agreed lone working arrangements, keep their personal safety in mind at all times, and report any situation where they feel unsafe or at unusual risk.

Training, Information, and Supervision

Finsbury Park Cleaner provides induction and ongoing training to ensure that employees understand their health and safety responsibilities and are competent to carry out their tasks. Training covers topics such as safe use of chemicals, equipment handling, manual handling techniques, emergency procedures, and correct use of personal protective equipment. Supervisors monitor performance, provide guidance, and arrange refresher training when necessary.

Accidents, Incidents, and Near Miss Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported promptly so that we can respond appropriately and prevent recurrence. We investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and implement corrective actions. Records of accidents and incidents are maintained and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Employees are encouraged to report even minor issues, as early intervention can prevent more serious problems.

Emergency Procedures

We cooperate with clients and building management to ensure that fire safety and emergency procedures are understood and followed by our staff. This includes familiarisation with escape routes, assembly points, and any site-specific emergency arrangements. Employees must comply with all instructions during drills or real emergencies and must not obstruct fire exits or safety equipment with cleaning materials or machinery.

Consultation and Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety. We welcome feedback from employees, clients, and other stakeholders on how our practices can be improved. Where appropriate, we consult staff on changes that affect their health and safety and take their views into account when reviewing procedures and controls. This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable, effective, and aligned with current best practice in the cleaning sector.

Policy Review and Availability

This Health and Safety policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner if there are significant changes in our operations, work methods, or legal requirements. Updated versions are communicated to staff and made available to clients on request. All employees must familiarise themselves with this policy and follow it as a condition of their work with Finsbury Park Cleaner.