Health and Safety Policy — Pressure Washing Peckham and Rubbish Service Areas
This policy sets out the commitment of our pressure cleaning and rubbish removal operations to maintain a high standard of safety for employees, contractors, clients and the public. It applies to all activities involving Pressure Washing Peckham services, including associated site clearance and waste handling in our service area. The objective is to prevent injury, ill health and environmental harm through consistent application of risk management, training and safe systems of work.
Scope: This policy covers both routine and non-routine operations for pressure wash Peckham projects, including residential and commercial surface cleaning, graffiti removal, driveway and paving cleansing, and ancillary rubbish collection and disposal tasks. It extends to any subcontractors engaged to deliver high-pressure cleaning Peckham tasks and to temporary staff operating within our service boundary. The approach recognises differences between pressure-washing Peckham tasks carried out on hardstanding surfaces, building fabric, and around sensitive environments such as drains and planted areas.
Responsibilities: Senior management retains overall responsibility for ensuring that Peckham pressure washing operations meet legal and company standards. Supervisors are responsible for implementing the policy on site, ensuring that risk assessments are completed and that control measures are in place. Employees must follow procedures, use provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards or incidents promptly. Where subcontractors are used, the contractor must demonstrate competence and compliance with this policy prior to mobilising to site.
Risk assessment and safe systems of work: All pressure cleaning and rubbish-handling tasks must be preceded by a documented risk assessment that identifies hazards such as slips, trips and falls, high-pressure water injection, chemical exposure, manual handling, electrical hazards, and environmental contamination. Control measures include the use of engineered controls, exclusion zones, appropriate PPE, and method statements that match task complexity. Where necessary, work should be planned to avoid busy public periods and pedestrian routes.
PPE and equipment standards: Operators must wear suitable PPE, including but not limited to waterproof protective clothing, non-slip footwear, eye protection, gloves and hearing protection as required by task risk. All pressure-wash machinery and pumps must be maintained, inspected and fitted with safety devices such as residual current devices (RCDs) for electrical equipment. Hoses, nozzles and lances must be rated for operating pressures and stored in a manner that prevents tripping or entanglement. Chemicals used for cleaning should be approved for the task and accompanied by safety data sheets.
Environmental protection and rubbish handling: Our service area includes roadside and private sites where debris, fouling and waste must be managed responsibly. Waste segregation, containment and lawful disposal are mandatory. Measures to prevent discharge of contaminated wash water into drains or watercourses include use of containment systems, separation of solids, and disposal of wastewater via authorised facilities. Where detergents or surfactants are used, operators must select biodegradable and low-toxicity options in line with environmental policy.
Training and competence: All staff engaged in pressure cleaning Peckham duties must receive induction training and demonstrate competence on the equipment they operate. Training covers machine operation, PPE use, hazard recognition, manual handling, working at height if required, and emergency procedures. Records of qualifications and refresher training shall be maintained. Supervisors will assess competence periodically and prior to assigning complex or high-risk tasks.
Emergency response and incident reporting: A clear procedure for incidents, near misses and emergencies must be established at each site. This includes steps for first aid, isolation of equipment, containment of spills, and notification of appropriate authorities where environmental release or serious injury occurs. All incidents shall be recorded, investigated and used to inform continuous improvement. Employees are encouraged to report near misses so that controls can be strengthened before harm occurs.
Monitoring and audit: The policy will be implemented through routine inspections, audits and performance reviews. Key performance indicators include incident frequency, completion rates of risk assessments, training currency and equipment maintenance records. Management will review audit findings and ensure corrective actions are tracked to completion. Where external work falls within third-party or client-specified safety regimes, compatibility of requirements will be confirmed before work commences.
