Putney Carpet Cleaners Health and Safety Policy

Putney Carpet Cleaners is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our carpet and upholstery cleaning activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, managing risks, promoting safe working practices and complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry guidance.

Policy Objectives

The main objectives of this Health and Safety policy are to prevent injury and ill health arising from our work, to provide and maintain safe systems of work, to ensure that all cleaning operations are planned and carried out with due regard to safety, and to continuously improve our health and safety performance. These objectives apply to all services we provide, including carpet cleaning, rug cleaning, upholstery cleaning, hard floor care and related activities.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Putney Carpet Cleaners has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that appropriate resources are made available. Management will regularly review health and safety arrangements, monitor performance and update procedures when necessary. Managers and supervisors are responsible for making sure that employees understand and follow safe working instructions, use equipment correctly and report any hazards or incidents promptly.

Management will lead by example by following all safety rules, wearing appropriate protective equipment when required and supporting any employee who raises reasonable health and safety concerns. We will ensure that contractors working on our behalf meet equivalent health and safety standards.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees of Putney Carpet Cleaners share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes following training and instructions, using chemicals and machinery only as directed, wearing personal protective equipment provided, and reporting hazards, accidents, near misses or defective equipment without delay.

No employee should undertake any cleaning task for which they have not been trained or which they consider unsafe. Employees are encouraged to raise health and safety suggestions so that we can continually improve our working practices and protect our customers and colleagues.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Putney Carpet Cleaners carries out risk assessments for our core cleaning activities, including the use of cleaning chemicals, portable machinery, electrical equipment, manual handling, working in customers homes and business premises, and driving between jobs. These assessments identify potential hazards and specify control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Safe working methods are developed from these assessments and communicated to staff through training, written procedures and onsite supervision. Employees are expected to follow these methods at all times. If conditions at a property differ significantly from what was expected, the operative must reassess the risks and, if necessary, contact a supervisor before proceeding.

Chemical Safety and Storage

Many of our services rely on specialist cleaning solutions. Putney Carpet Cleaners is committed to the safe selection, handling, transport, storage and disposal of all chemicals used during cleaning operations. We will use products in accordance with manufacturers instructions and obtain and follow relevant safety data sheets.

Chemicals will be clearly labelled and stored securely when not in use. Employees receive training on chemical hazards, correct dilution, safe application and what to do in case of spillage, skin contact or inhalation. We aim to use environmentally responsible products wherever possible without compromising cleaning standards or safety.

Equipment, Maintenance and Electrical Safety

All equipment used by Putney Carpet Cleaners, including carpet cleaning machines, extraction units, vacuums and accessories, must be maintained in good working order. Regular inspections and servicing will be carried out in line with manufacturers recommendations and relevant regulations.

Only trained personnel may operate our equipment. Any faulty or damaged equipment must be removed from use immediately and reported for repair or replacement. Electrical leads and plugs will be checked regularly for damage, and extension cables will be used safely to prevent tripping or overloading.

Manual Handling and Physical Safety

Carpet and upholstery cleaning can involve moving furniture, lifting equipment and working in confined spaces. Putney Carpet Cleaners provides manual handling training to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Staff are instructed to use handling aids where available, to seek help when lifting heavy or awkward items and to avoid unsafe practices such as overreaching or twisting while carrying loads.

Where furniture or items must be moved, employees will take care to protect both themselves and the customer’s property. Any significant obstacles, unstable furniture or unsafe conditions will be reported to the customer before work progresses.

Customer and Public Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect customers, their families, employees and any visitors to their premises during cleaning work. Putney Carpet Cleaners will take reasonable steps to minimise risks, including using signage where appropriate, managing trip hazards from hoses and cables, and controlling access to areas where wet floors or chemical residues may present a risk.

We aim to schedule work and organise our methods to reduce disruption and avoid unnecessary risks. If a particular job cannot be completed safely, work may be postponed or alternative methods proposed.

Training, Communication and Supervision

Health and safety training is an essential part of our commitment to safe working. All new employees receive induction training on company procedures, safe use of equipment and hazard awareness. Ongoing training and refresher sessions are provided when tasks, equipment or regulations change.

Important health and safety information is communicated to employees through briefings, written instructions and supervision on site. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring compliance with safe working practices and providing guidance and support where needed.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work related ill health must be reported as soon as possible so that they can be recorded, investigated and, where necessary, used to improve controls. Putney Carpet Cleaners will keep appropriate records and review trends to prevent recurrence.

Employees are trained in basic emergency procedures, including what to do in case of fire, serious injury, chemical exposure or property damage during cleaning work. First aid arrangements are maintained and staff know how to access medical assistance when required.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, equipment, products or legal requirements. Putney Carpet Cleaners is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and welcomes feedback from employees and customers to help us maintain safe and efficient cleaning services.