Crew preparing for a house clearance at a residential property

Health & Safety Policy — House Clearance Forest Hill

This policy sets out the commitment of our rubbish and clearance service to maintain a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public. It applies to all operations related to house clearance in Forest Hill, removal of waste, and associated activities such as collection, transportation and disposal. The objective is to manage hazards, reduce risks and deliver a professional junk removal and rubbish collection service while meeting regulatory expectations and best practice.

Site supervisor reviewing risk assessment documents before clearance

Scope and principles

The policy covers every stage of a Forest Hill house clearance job: site assessment, handling and segregation of materials, safe loading, vehicle operation and site reinstatement. Our approach is based on proportional risk assessment, elimination or control of hazards, and continuous improvement. Prevention of injury and harm is prioritised through planning and staff competence.

Responsibilities and training

All team members have clear responsibilities. Managers ensure that risk assessments and method statements are prepared and monitored; operatives follow safety instructions and use issued protective equipment; supervisors maintain oversight during clears. Training includes manual handling, safe use of tools, correct segregation of waste streams and site-specific briefings for each job. Competence is recorded and refreshed regularly.

Operatives using mechanical aids and wearing PPE during a clearance

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe systems

Operatives are supplied with appropriate PPE such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or biohazards exist. Manual handling risks are reduced by using mechanical aids, team lifts and correct lifting techniques. Safe systems of work are enforced to control access, maintain clear walkways and manage slip, trip and fall hazards during every house clearance operation.

Hazardous materials are identified during pre-job surveys and handled in line with current guidance. This includes safe containment and segregation of sharps, asbestos-suspect materials, chemicals and electronic waste. Our rubbish removal and junk disposal routines minimise cross-contamination, and items requiring specialist disposal are recorded and transferred to licensed facilities.

Transport, vehicle safety and site security

Vehicles and trailers used for clearance work are maintained under a scheduled inspection program. Drivers hold appropriate licences and follow loading best practices to prevent shifting cargo. Secure loading, correct use of restraints and route planning reduce risk during transit. During on-site operations we ensure vehicles do not obstruct emergency access and that public areas are protected from falling debris.

First aid kit and emergency response plan displayed on site Incident reporting, first aid and emergency response All incidents, near-misses and accidents are reported promptly and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. First aid provision is available on-site with trained responders, and emergency procedures are rehearsed and clearly documented. Fire risks are managed by removing ignition sources from work areas and maintaining clear escape routes.

Team securing waste loads on a vehicle before transport Environmental controls and waste handling

Operational practices ensure that rubbish removal Forest Hill services reduce environmental impact. Waste is segregated at source into recyclable, non-recyclable and hazardous streams. Spills are contained and cleaned promptly, and any contamination is remediated. Records of waste transfer are maintained for compliance and traceability. Responsible disposal ensures that recyclable materials are sent for recovery and hazardous items to authorised facilities.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement

We monitor performance through regular site audits, toolbox talks and review of incident reports. Safety outcomes, staff feedback and legislative changes drive updates to the policy and procedures. This company's health and safety governance ensures that house clearance services evolve to reflect new risks and improved control measures.

Key actions include:

Risk assessments completed before every job and updated for unforeseen hazards.
Staff training and competency checks to keep skills current for safe rubbish collection and clearance tasks.
Maintained equipment and vehicles with scheduled inspections and records.
Clear incident management with corrective actions and communication loops to prevent recurrence.

By implementing these measures, our Forest Hill house clearance and rubbish collection operations remain focused on protecting people, property and the environment. This policy is owned by senior management and is reviewed at least annually or after significant incidents or changes in work activities. All employees and contractors are expected to understand and apply the policy as part of delivering a safe, reliable and compliant house clearance service.