Health and Safety Policy — Pressure Washing Shoreditch and Service Area Operations

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment, organisation and arrangements for safe delivery of high-pressure cleaning and associated waste removal services across our rubbish company service area, including pressure washing in Shoreditch and nearby zones. It is written to be clear, practical and legally robust while remaining concise and accessible to all staff, contractors and stakeholders. The aim is to maintain a safe working environment for employees, members of the public and property users while preserving the integrity of the local environment.

The policy applies to all operations involving high-pressure washers, surface cleaning chemicals, water run-off management and site hygiene practices. All operatives must understand that safety is a core duty and that adherence to this policy is mandatory. This document complements statutory obligations and industry best practice for Shoreditch pressure washing and related services.

Management will ensure appropriate risk assessments are completed before each job, including site-specific considerations for commercial and residential properties, pedestrian thoroughfares and vehicle access. Surveys will identify hazards such as fragile surfaces, electrical risks, chemical exposure, and proximity to drainage systems. Risk control measures will be implemented and documented, and a permit-to-work style process will be used for complex or high-risk tasks.

Responsibilities and Roles

Senior management retains overall accountability for health and safety policy implementation. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for the day-to-day application of safety measures on site, including briefing teams, assigning roles and ensuring compliance. Operatives must follow instructions, wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards without delay. Subcontractors engaged for pressure washer work in the service area must demonstrate competency and hold suitable insurance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Risk assessment: identify and record hazards prior to work commencing.
• PPE and equipment: provide, inspect and maintain protective gear and pressure cleaning apparatus.
• Training: ensure team members have up-to-date training for safe operation of pressure washers and handling of cleaning agents.

All tasks involving detergents, biocides or other cleaning chemicals will comply with COSHH principles. Chemical usage will be minimised, and environmentally preferable products selected where effective. Wastewater containment and disposal will be managed to prevent pollution of drains; where discharge is unavoidable, steps will be taken to contain, filter and dispose of effluent in accordance with regulatory guidance.

Safe Systems of Work and Site Controls

Safe systems of work will be documented for each type of pressure cleaning operation. These include exclusion zones, use of signage and where necessary physical barriers to protect the public, traffic management plans for roadside work, and ladder or access equipment protocols where required. Equipment checks are mandatory at the start and end of each shift, and any defects will be reported and equipment taken out of service until repaired.

Specific measures include but are not limited to:

• Establishing clear exclusion zones and controlling pedestrian access during operations.
• Use of residual current devices and regular PAT testing for electrical equipment where appropriate.
• Monitoring weather conditions and postponing work if conditions make high-pressure cleaning unsafe.

Emergency procedures are in place including first aid provision, incident reporting and escalation, and arrangements to summon external emergency services. All incidents, near misses and environmental releases must be recorded and investigated to prevent recurrence. We will maintain an accessible log of accidents and control measures with periodic review.

Training forms a central part of preventing injury and damage. All operatives will receive induction training, practical competency checks, refresher training and specific instruction in spill response, manual handling and correct nozzle selection for different surface types. Supervisors must verify competency before authorising independent work on Shoreditch pressure cleaning projects or in the wider service area.

Monitoring, auditing and review procedures will be implemented to ensure this policy remains effective. Internal audits, spot checks and toolbox talks will be used to assess compliance. The policy will be reviewed annually, or following a significant incident, change in legislation, or the introduction of new equipment and methods. Continuous improvement is essential; suggestions from operatives are encouraged and will be considered as part of the review cycle.

We require all personnel to cooperate with safety inspections and to contribute to hazard identification. Performance indicators such as lost time incidents, near-miss frequency and audit findings will be used to measure safety performance and drive improvements across pressure cleaning and rubbish collection related activities.

Compliance with this Health and Safety Policy is mandatory for everyone operating under the organisation's control. Failure to comply will be managed through disciplinary processes where appropriate to ensure standards are maintained and that public safety, staff welfare and the environment are protected during all pressure washing operations in Shoreditch and within our broader service area.