Kenton Carpet Cleaners Health and Safety Policy
Kenton Carpet Cleaners is committed to providing professional carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning services in a way that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our employees, customers, visitors, contractors and the general public. We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and we aim to manage risks systematically in all aspects of our work.
The purpose of this policy is to set out our health and safety objectives, outline responsibilities at every level of the business, and describe the procedures we follow to control hazards associated with cleaning operations in domestic and commercial premises.
Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objectives are to:
Prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health arising from our activities.
Identify, assess and control risks associated with carpet and upholstery cleaning, stain removal and related services.
Provide and maintain safe systems of work, safe equipment and a safe working environment.
Use cleaning agents, spot treatments and other chemicals safely and responsibly, minimising risks to people, property and the environment.
Ensure all employees are competent to carry out their tasks through appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage active participation in improving safety performance.
Review and update this policy regularly to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our services and service area.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Kenton Carpet Cleaners has overall responsibility for ensuring that this Health and Safety Policy is implemented and maintained. Management will:
Provide adequate resources to implement this policy and maintain safe working conditions.
Carry out and regularly review risk assessments for all key tasks, including on-site cleaning, handling of chemicals, electrical equipment use and manual handling.
Ensure that safe working procedures are developed, documented, communicated and followed by all staff.
Maintain records of training, equipment inspections, incident reports and corrective actions.
Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses promptly to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Lead by example, demonstrating a visible commitment to health and safety at all times.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Kenton 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. Employees are expected to:
Follow all safety procedures, training and instructions provided by the company.
Use equipment, tools, personal protective equipment and cleaning chemicals correctly and safely.
Report hazards, defects, spillages, unsafe conditions and near misses to management without delay.
Cooperate fully with any accident investigation, health and safety inspection or training programme.
Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.
Maintain a professional and responsible attitude when working at customer premises, showing respect for property and occupants.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We conduct risk assessments for our core cleaning activities, including pre-inspection, vacuuming, hot water extraction, low-moisture cleaning, stain removal, drying procedures and equipment transport. These assessments identify potential hazards such as chemical exposure, slips and trips, electrical risks, manual handling strains and noise.
Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work. These include guidance on selecting appropriate cleaning methods, setting up and operating machinery, routing hoses and cables to minimise trip risks, controlling moisture, ventilating work areas and managing waste.
Employees receive instruction on these systems, and adherence to them is monitored during regular work audits and supervision.
Chemical Safety and Control of Substances
Kenton Carpet Cleaners uses professional-grade cleaning solutions, pre-sprays, spotters and protectors in the course of its work. To manage the risks from these substances we:
Obtain and retain safety data sheets for all chemicals used.
Carry out assessments for each product, considering routes of exposure, required controls and correct personal protective equipment.
Ensure all containers are clearly labelled, securely stored and transported safely in vehicles.
Train staff in safe dilution, application, dwell time, rinsing and disposal procedures.
Avoid unnecessary use of harsh chemicals and select low-hazard products where practicable, particularly in homes with children, pets or vulnerable occupants.
Promote good hygiene practices, including hand washing after chemical handling and before eating, drinking or smoking.
Equipment Safety and Maintenance
Our cleaning equipment, including extraction machines, vacuums, agitation tools and accessories, is selected, maintained and operated to ensure safety and reliability. We:
Carry out regular inspections, servicing and testing of all portable electrical equipment in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.
Remove from service any equipment that is found to be defective or unsafe until repairs have been completed.
Provide training on correct setup, use, lifting, moving and storage of machines and tools.
Use only suitable extension leads and cable management methods to avoid electrical hazards and trip risks.
Ensure vehicles used for transporting equipment are kept in a roadworthy condition and loaded safely to prevent movement of machinery during transit.
Manual Handling and Ergonomics
Manual handling tasks in carpet and upholstery cleaning can include lifting machines, moving furniture, handling hoses and working in awkward postures. To reduce the risk of strains and musculoskeletal injuries we:
Assess manual handling tasks and redesign them where possible to minimise heavy lifting or repetitive motions.
Provide training in safe lifting techniques, team handling and the use of mechanical aids or equipment wheels and ramps.
Encourage staff to plan work to avoid unnecessary carrying of equipment and to take regular short breaks when undertaking physically demanding tasks.
Working at Customer Premises
When working at homes and commercial sites, our teams take particular care to protect occupants and visitors. We:
Agree safe access routes and work areas with the customer and maintain clear walkways.
Display warning signs as appropriate to highlight wet floors, hoses or equipment.
Control entry to work areas where possible, especially when hot water, chemicals or electrical equipment are in use.
Ventilate areas during and after cleaning where needed to reduce humidity and odours.
Conduct a final visual inspection of the area before leaving, ensuring it is left clean, tidy and free of equipment or waste.
Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, incidents, near misses, property damage and cases of ill health related to work must be reported promptly to management. We maintain a record of such events and review them to improve our controls.
Employees are briefed on emergency procedures, including dealing with chemical spillages, electrical failures, equipment malfunctions, injuries and fire alarms at customer premises. First aid supplies are available in company vehicles, and staff know how to access emergency services where required.
Training, Communication and Policy Review
Health and safety training is provided during induction and refreshed periodically. Additional training is given when new equipment, chemicals or procedures are introduced. Safety information is communicated through briefings, toolbox talks and written guidance.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at least annually, or sooner if there are significant changes in our operations, legal requirements or incident trends. Updated versions are communicated to all employees, and compliance with the policy is monitored as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
By working together to follow this policy, Kenton Carpet Cleaners aims to provide a safe, reliable and professional cleaning service throughout our service area while protecting the wellbeing of everyone affected by our activities.
