Pressure Washing Penge Health & Safety Policy

This document sets out the formal health and safety policy adopted by our pressure cleaning operation, hereafter referred to as Pressure Washing Penge. The policy applies across our service area including operations that interface with a rubbish company service area where waste clearance and surface preparation overlap. The purpose is to minimise risks to staff, contractors, clients and the public, and to ensure that services are performed safely, responsibly and in compliance with applicable statutory obligations.

Scope and objectives: Pressure washing activities covered include high-pressure water cleaning, low-pressure soft wash, steam cleaning, and associated preparatory and clearance tasks. This policy emphasises safe use of powered equipment, the handling of runoff, and coordination with waste removal operations. Responsibilities are defined at management and operative levels, and the policy is subject to regular review to reflect changes in equipment, chemicals and legislative expectations.

Responsibilities and Organisation

Management holds overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining health and safety standards. Supervisors must ensure that every operative has appropriate training, understands site-specific risk assessments, and follows written safe systems of work. Operatives are required to wear specified personal protective equipment and to report hazards or near misses immediately. Contractors and partners in the rubbish company service area must coordinate to prevent cross-contamination of surfaces, improper disposal of waste, or unplanned exposure to contaminants.

Risk assessment is mandatory before all contracts commence. A documented site-specific risk assessment will identify hazards such as slips, trips and falls, high-pressure injection injuries, chemical exposure, traffic interaction and environmental runoff. Control measures include exclusion zones, bunding and containment, appropriate signage, and traffic management where operations occur near public highways or customer properties. Where waste is present, operatives should follow a pre-clean sweep or joint clearance plan with rubbish handlers to reduce sharp object hazards and biological contamination.

Equipment, Chemicals and Maintenance

All pressure washing equipment must be maintained according to manufacturer schedules. Only authorised, labelled detergents and cleaning agents will be used; Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be available on site. Routine inspections and a maintenance log are required for pumps, hoses, nozzles, and protective guards. Faulty equipment must be taken out of service and tagged. Fuel and chemical storage will comply with statutory controls and secondary containment standards to prevent spill incidents and environmental impact in the rubbish company service area and beyond.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards: operatives shall use eye and ear protection, waterproof protective clothing, cut-resistant gloves where waste handling is likely, and non-slip safety footwear. Face shields are mandated during operations with splash risk. Respiratory protection will be provided for tasks generating aerosols or dust, and fit testing recorded where applicable. The company will provide training on correct PPE use and maintenance to ensure compliance and worker safety.

Emergency procedures and first aid: Clear procedures for spills, injuries and environmental incidents will be displayed and understood by staff. First aid equipment and trained personnel will be available for every job. In the event of chemical exposure or high-pressure injection injury, immediate first aid and emergency services will be sought. Spill kits and absorbents will be deployed promptly, and incidents affecting the rubbish company service area are to be reported to management for coordinated remediation and waste disposal.

Waste management and environmental controls: runoff and waste waters from pressure washing will be managed to prevent pollution of drains, watercourses and soil. Where feasible, water recycling, containment, and proper disposal through authorised channels will be used. Any generated waste, including removed debris from rubbish clearance, will be segregated, labelled and handled in accordance with environmental regulations and the standards expected across the rubbish company service area. Records of disposal will be maintained for audit.

Training, competence and supervision: All personnel must complete induction training and periodic refreshers on safe operation of pressure washing equipment, chemical handling, and site-specific procedures. Competency assessments and licensing records will be maintained. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring operatives work within their competence level and that inexperienced staff are appropriately supervised on site. Regular toolbox talks and documented safety briefings will be conducted to reinforce standards and communicate lessons learned from incidents.

Monitoring, compliance and review: The company will monitor compliance through routine audits, inspections and incident investigations. Corrective actions will be implemented without delay. Performance indicators include training completion rates, equipment inspection compliance, incident frequency and environmental non-conformances. This policy will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner following significant changes to operations, equipment, or legislation. Strong emphasis is placed on continuous improvement, worker involvement, and transparent reporting to maintain a high standard of health and safety across all pressure washing and associated rubbish handling operations.