Health and Safety Policy for Pressure Washing Putney

Purpose: This policy sets out the health and safety standards for our pressure washing and related waste handling operations across our service area. It covers safe working practices for high-pressure cleaning, surface preparation, and on-site rubbish management performed by our team. The aim is to protect employees, contractors, the public, and the environment while ensuring compliance with relevant statutory obligations. All staff and contractors are required to read, understand and follow this policy.

This policy applies to every task involving power washers, chemical cleaners, containment systems, and rubbish removal activities within our service area and associated sites. It includes pre-job planning, on-site risk assessment, equipment maintenance, and end-of-job waste handling procedures. Putney pressure washing operations are covered alongside other variations such as pressure-washing in Putney and general pressure washing services performed by the company.

Responsibilities and Accountability

The management team retains overall responsibility for health and safety, ensuring that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided. Individual employees and subcontractors must:

• Carry out dynamic risk assessments before starting work.
• Use the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) including eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, boots and suitable clothing.
• Report hazards, near misses and incidents promptly so corrective actions can be taken.

Supervisors will monitor compliance and take corrective action where standards fall below required levels.

Risk assessment is mandatory for every job. Assessments shall consider: weather conditions, surface types, proximity to pedestrians and traffic, water run-off and waste containment, electrical hazards and chemical exposure. A written safe system of work should be prepared for complex tasks, and a permit-to-work used where necessary. Rubbish company coordination is integrated into the plan to ensure safe and compliant waste transfer and disposal.

Equipment and maintenance protocols are critical. High-pressure units, hoses, nozzles and pumps must be inspected before use, serviced according to manufacturer schedules and tagged when defective. Only trained operators are permitted to operate pressure washers; training records will be maintained. Fuel handling for petrol or diesel driven machines must follow safe refuelling procedures and spill kits must be available on-site.

Chemicals and detergents may be used to assist cleaning. All substances will be assessed for hazards and used in line with their Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Staff must receive instruction on dilution rates, mixing procedures and first aid measures. Environmental controls such as bunding, silt traps, and run-off capture are required to prevent contamination of drains and watercourses. Wastewater and debris from cleaning operations must be collected and processed by approved waste handlers in the rubbish removal service area.

Traffic management and pedestrian safety are essential where work is near public areas. Barriers, cones, signage and where necessary banksmen must be deployed to protect passersby. When working adjacent to roads, a traffic risk assessment and coordination with local authorities may be required. Noise and vibration controls should be implemented to minimize disturbance to nearby residents and businesses.

Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergency Procedures

All incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported immediately and investigated. First aid kits and trained first aid personnel are to be present on site according to job risk. Emergency procedures, including spill response, fire procedures and cut-off of power sources, will be clearly displayed. Employees must know how to contact emergency services if required and follow the site evacuation plan.

Monitoring and continuous improvement ensure our operations remain safe and effective. We will carry out regular site audits, toolbox talks and performance reviews. Findings from audits and incident investigations will be used to update risk assessments and safe systems of work. Training will be refreshed periodically and new staff will receive induction covering pressure washing hazards, rubbish handling and environmental protection. Management will review this policy annually or after significant changes to equipment or legislation.

Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action and suspension of duties until remedial measures are in place. We are committed to cooperating with enforcement agencies and to applying industry best practice standards. This policy supports the safe delivery of pressure cleaning and rubbish management services across our service area and demonstrates our commitment to protecting people, property and the environment from the hazards associated with power cleaning and associated waste operations.

Key commitments include:

• Maintaining up-to-date risk assessments and safe systems of work;
• Providing appropriate PPE, training and supervision;
• Ensuring safe handling, segregation and transfer of waste to licensed handlers within the rubbish company service area;
• Preventing pollution through effective containment and disposal measures;
• Investigating incidents and continually improving health and safety performance.

Signed on behalf of management — policy ownership and review dates will be recorded internally.

This legal health and safety statement is intended to set clear operational standards for our pressure cleaning operations while minimising local detail. It is a formal policy document and is not a how-to guide; personnel must follow their training, site-specific risk assessments and any applicable statutory guidance when performing pressure washing and waste handling tasks.