Health and Safety Policy Statement
George Harland Contracting takes the health and safety of his colleagues, clients, and the general public very seriously. Every project we undertake across construction, property maintenance, cleaning, decorating, and gardening is managed to prevent accidents and protect well-being.
Statutory Compliance
Primary Legislation: We fully comply with all requirements as outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Legal Standards: Operations strictly adhere to all current UK health and safety legislation, including the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).
Regulatory Updates: This policy is regularly reviewed to remain fully compliant with evolving UK statutory instruments and safety directives.
2. Risk Management & Assessment
Planning Stage Assessments: All works are comprehensively risk-assessed at the planning stage to identify and mitigate the risk of harm, personal injury, and property damage before anyone arrives on-site.
Dynamic Risk Assessments: Our operatives actively perform dynamic risk assessments whilst undertaking all works. This continuous field evaluation ensures we adapt immediately to changing on-site conditions and further ensures the safety of our projects.
Hazard Reporting: Colleagues are required to report and stop work immediately if they encounter unexpected, unmitigated hazards on any property.
3. Equipment & Materials Safety
Maintenance Standards: All machinery, tools, and vehicles used are meticulously maintained and operated in line with company safety policy and legal requirements.
Statutory Inspections: Equipment is kept compliant with PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) and LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) where applicable.
Material Handling: Hazardous substances, cleaning chemicals, and trade materials are strictly controlled, stored, and utilized according to their specific safety data sheets.
4. Training & Competency
Operative Training: All operatives are fully trained in the safe use of equipment and related materials necessary for their specific trade roles.
Safety Awareness: Regular briefings are provided to ensure colleagues remain up to date on safe handling practices, working at height, and site protection.
PPE Compliance: All team members are supplied with, and required to wear, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tailored to the specific tasks being performed.
5. Working at Height
Safety Protocols: All high-level tasks—including roofing, gutter clearance, high-window cleaning, and exterior decorating—strictly adhere to the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Equipment Integrity: Ladders, steps, towers, and scaffolding systems are rigorously inspected before every use to ensure maximum stability and structural integrity.
Fall Prevention: Operatives utilize mandatory fall-arrest equipment and collective protection measures wherever risk assessments identify a potential fall hazard.
6. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Chemical Safety: All cleaning chemicals, industrial paints, solvents, and gardening treatments are strictly managed under COSHH Regulations.
Risk Mitigation: We actively prioritize non-hazardous or low-toxicity materials; where hazardous substances are necessary, strict ventilation and extraction measures are enforced.
Safe Handling: Operatives are fully equipped with specialized chemical-resistant PPE and clear instructions regarding safe storage, dilution, and emergency spill procedures.
7. First Aid & Incident Management
Project Designation: A dedicated First Aid contact will be clearly designated before the start of each project to manage medical emergencies and supervise safety protocols.
On-Site Provision: Every project deployment includes a fully stocked, legally compliant first aid kit tailored to the specific risks of the work environment.
Reporting Procedures: In the rare event of an incident or near-miss, details are logged internally and reported immediately to the client, ensuring strict compliance with RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) guidelines.
8. Contact Information for Safety Concerns
Direct Communication: For any inquiries, immediate clarifications, or urgent safety concerns regarding our active sites or policies, please contact our designated health and safety monitoring channel.
Email Contact: You can reach us directly at safety@georgeharland.com.