Keston Carpet Cleaners Health and Safety Policy

Keston Carpet Cleaners is committed to providing professional carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, visitors and the wider public. We aim to conduct all activities in line with relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for cleaning services carried out in homes, offices and commercial premises.

Policy Statement and Objectives

The objective of this health and safety policy is to prevent injury, ill health and accidents arising from our work. We will identify and control risks associated with carpet and upholstery cleaning, stain removal, hard floor care and related services. We will provide safe equipment, suitable cleaning products and practical guidance so that all work is completed safely and responsibly at client premises.

We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance, regularly reviewing procedures and training to ensure that our standards remain appropriate to the work we carry out across our service area.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at Keston Carpet Cleaners has overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are provided. Management will:

Plan work so that risks are identified and controlled before tasks begin, including site-specific assessments where required. Provide and maintain safe plant, tools and equipment, including regular checks of cleaning machinery, hoses and accessories. Ensure that cleaning agents, spotting solutions and other chemicals are purchased, stored, transported and used safely in accordance with manufacturer information and relevant regulations. Provide information, instruction, supervision and training to enable employees to carry out their duties safely and competently. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, taking action to prevent recurrence and communicating lessons learned to staff.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working for Keston Carpet Cleaners has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All personnel must:

Follow the procedures and safe systems of work set by the company and use equipment as instructed. Use personal protective equipment provided, such as gloves, masks, knee pads or eye protection, where appropriate to the task. Immediately report hazards, incidents, defective equipment or unsafe conditions so that corrective action can be taken. Cooperate with training, supervision and health and safety initiatives and refrain from interfering with or misusing safety equipment. Consider the safety and comfort of clients, their families, employees and visitors while work is carried out on their premises.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Keston Carpet Cleaners carries out risk assessments for routine carpet and upholstery cleaning tasks, as well as for any non-routine or higher risk work. These assessments consider factors such as access, electrical safety, manual handling, use of chemicals, slips and trips, working in occupied properties and any specific client requirements.

Safe systems of work are developed from these assessments and are communicated to staff through induction, written guidance and ongoing training. Staff are required to adapt their working methods where local conditions at a client property present additional risks, and to consult with supervisors where further controls are needed.

Chemical Safety and Control of Substances

The cleaning products used by Keston Carpet Cleaners are selected to deliver effective results while minimising risk to people, pets and the environment. Safety data information is followed for all substances, and products are used only for their intended purpose and at recommended dilutions.

Chemicals are stored securely in vehicles or designated areas, kept in original labelled containers and transported safely to and from client properties. Staff are trained in safe handling, spill response, ventilation requirements and what to do in the event of accidental contact or ingestion. Where possible, low hazard and environmentally considerate products are preferred, particularly for regular domestic and office cleaning work.

Equipment, Electrical and Manual Handling Safety

All cleaning equipment, including extraction machines, vacuums, rotary machines and accessories, is inspected regularly and maintained in safe working condition. Electrical leads and plugs are checked before use, and equipment is not used if any damage or defect is identified. Staff are instructed to avoid overloading sockets, to keep cables tidy and to reduce trip risks for themselves and others.

Manual handling is a key part of carpet cleaning work, such as lifting machines, moving furniture and handling hoses. Employees receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, use of handling aids where available, and methods for minimising strain, such as breaking loads down and working in teams for heavier items. Wherever possible, furniture is moved only as far as necessary to complete the work safely.

Working in Client Premises

Most of our work takes place in client homes, offices and commercial premises. Respect for the property, privacy and safety of clients is central to our approach. Staff are required to:

Carry out a visual inspection before starting work to identify hazards such as loose flooring, poor lighting, restricted access, trailing cables or other risks. Discuss any concerns with the client and agree practical arrangements for safe working, including access routes and temporary exclusion of areas during cleaning. Use clear communication where areas are wet, slippery or temporarily inaccessible, and remove equipment and materials promptly when work is completed. Take care around children, elderly persons, pets and other building users, ensuring that machinery and chemicals are never left unattended in unsafe locations.

Training, Communication and Consultation

Keston Carpet Cleaners provides induction training for new staff and regular refresher training for existing personnel, covering health and safety responsibilities, equipment operation, chemical safety, manual handling and safe working in client environments. Additional training is provided where work introduces new risks or equipment.

We encourage employees to raise health and safety concerns and suggestions for improvement. Information on changes to procedures or equipment is shared promptly, and feedback is used to refine our approach. Open communication with staff and clients helps us maintain high standards of safety throughout our service area.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This health and safety policy is monitored through regular checks on work practices, incident reporting, equipment inspections and feedback from staff and clients. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective and preventive actions are implemented promptly.

The policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, company activities or industry guidance relating to carpet and upholstery cleaning. Updated versions are communicated to all staff so that everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe, professional service.

Policy Approval and Implementation

This health and safety policy has been formally adopted by Keston Carpet Cleaners and applies to all employees, contractors and activities undertaken by the company. Adherence to this policy is a condition of working for or on behalf of Keston Carpet Cleaners, and failure to comply may result in disciplinary or contractual action where appropriate.

By following this policy and the associated procedures, Keston Carpet Cleaners aims to deliver high quality cleaning services while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone affected by our work.