Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning Health and Safety Policy

Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning is committed to providing professional cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and the wider public. We aim to prevent injury, ill health, and property damage by planning, managing, and monitoring our carpet, upholstery, and related cleaning activities with safety as a priority.

This Health and Safety Policy applies to all work undertaken by Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning at client premises, residential properties, commercial sites, and any other location where our services are provided.

Our Health and Safety Commitments

We will take all reasonably practicable steps to:

Provide and maintain a safe working environment, equipment, and systems of work for our cleaning teams. Identify, assess, and control health and safety risks associated with carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, stain treatment, and related services. Use cleaning products, machinery, and equipment in a way that minimises risks to people, property, and the environment. Ensure that all employees receive appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to carry out their work safely and competently. Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage the reporting of hazards, near misses, and incidents. Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice, and industry guidance. Continuously improve our health and safety performance through regular review and updates to this policy.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement and maintain this policy.

Management is responsible for:

Establishing safe working procedures for all cleaning services and tasks. Providing suitable equipment and personal protective equipment and ensuring it is properly maintained. Ensuring that risk assessments and method statements are completed, reviewed, and communicated as necessary. Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implementing corrective actions.

Employees are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Following all safety procedures, training, and instructions provided by Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning. Using equipment, tools, and cleaning chemicals only as trained and in accordance with manufacturer guidance. Wearing personal protective equipment as required and reporting any defects or concerns. Immediately reporting accidents, incidents, unsafe conditions, or hazards to their supervisor or manager.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning carries out risk assessments for its cleaning operations, including carpet cleaning, rug cleaning, upholstery cleaning, stain removal, and the use of specialist equipment and solutions. These risk assessments consider potential hazards such as slips, trips, falls, manual handling, electrical safety, chemical exposure, and noise.

Based on these assessments, we implement and maintain safe systems of work, including:

Planning each job to ensure safe access and egress at client premises. Ensuring that cables, hoses, and equipment are placed to minimise trip hazards. Using appropriate warning signs and barriers where floors may be wet or equipment is in use. Assessing furniture movement and manual handling needs before starting work. Selecting appropriate cleaning methods for carpets and soft furnishings to reduce health and safety risks.

Chemical Safety and COSHH

Cleaning agents and treatments used by Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning are selected and managed to reduce risk. All hazardous substances are assessed in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health requirements. Safety data and instructions are provided to staff.

We will:

Use cleaning chemicals only for their intended purpose and according to manufacturer instructions. Provide suitable storage for chemicals to prevent unauthorised access, misuse, or spillage. Supply appropriate personal protective equipment where required, such as gloves, masks, or eye protection. Ensure workers are trained in dilution, application, ventilation, and safe disposal of cleaning solutions. Avoid unnecessary use of strong chemicals where safer or more environmentally considerate alternatives are available.

Equipment, Maintenance, and Electrical Safety

Our cleaning machinery, including carpet extraction machines, vacuum cleaners, and specialist tools, will be maintained in a safe and efficient condition.

We will:

Conduct regular checks and servicing of all electrical and mechanical equipment. Remove defective equipment from service immediately and arrange repair or replacement. Use only suitable and tested extension leads and connections. Ensure that employees are trained in safe operation, set-up, and shutdown of all equipment.

Training, Supervision, and Competence

Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning recognises that proper training is essential for safe working practices.

We will provide:

Induction training covering health and safety responsibilities, emergency procedures, and company rules. Task-specific training for carpet and upholstery cleaning processes, machinery, and chemical use. Ongoing refresher training and toolbox talks on topics such as manual handling, slips and trips, and accident reporting. Additional guidance for new staff, young workers, and those requiring closer supervision.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. This allows us to record details, investigate causes, and prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures will be communicated to staff and, where necessary, to clients. This includes:

Evacuation routes and assembly points where applicable. Actions to take in the event of fire, serious injury, or chemical spill. Location and use of first aid supplies where provided by the site or the company.

Working at Client Premises

When working in clients homes, offices, or other premises, Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning staff will respect and cooperate with any site-specific health and safety rules.

We will:

Carry out a visual inspection of the work area on arrival to identify hazards. Communicate with the client about any risks that may affect occupants, pets, or visitors. Maintain good housekeeping, keeping work areas tidy and clear of unnecessary equipment. Ensure that warning signs are used where applicable, particularly when floors may be damp or where cables cross walkways.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, our working methods, or the scale of our operations. Employees will be informed of any significant changes.

By following this policy, Hammersmith Carpet Cleaning seeks to protect the well-being of everyone affected by our work and to deliver our carpet and upholstery cleaning services in a safe, responsible, and professional manner.