Health and Safety Policy for Skip Hire Hatch End and Waste Removal Services

This Health and Safety policy outlines the approach of our skip hire and rubbish removal operation to protecting employees, contractors and the public. As a provider of skip hire services and waste collection in the service area, we commit to a safe working environment through robust risk management, clear responsibilities and ongoing training. The policy applies to all staff, drivers, operatives and subcontractors engaged in skip collection, placement, transfer and disposal.

We emphasise that safety is integral to every job, whether a domestic skip hire delivery or a commercial bulky waste removal project. Key objectives include preventing work-related injury and ill health, complying with general duty of care, and promoting proactive hazard identification. All personnel must be familiar with safe systems of work and report unsafe conditions promptly.

To accomplish this we maintain a documented process for risk assessment specific to rubbish collection activities. Assessments consider vehicle movements, site access, manual handling of heavy items, sharps and hazardous materials, interaction with members of the public and environmental controls. The process requires routine review and adaptation when working at different sites or with distinct waste types.

Roles, Responsibilities and Competence

Management holds overall responsibility for developing, resourcing and reviewing safety arrangements. Managers will ensure risk assessments are current and that staff receive appropriate training. Contractors must provide evidence of competence and adhere to our safety standards when performing skip hire duties on our behalf.

Employees and Operatives

Employees are required to follow instructions, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and participate in inductions and refresher training. Operatives should perform pre-shift vehicle checks, ensure secure load restraint for skips and follow safe reversing and site-setup procedures. Reporting incidents and near-misses is mandatory to improve controls.

Competence is maintained through structured training on manual handling, vehicle operation, hazardous waste recognition, and safe use of lifting aids. Training records are kept and training needs are reviewed annually or when roles change. We emphasise practical assessments and toolbox talks tailored to skip hire and rubbish disposal operations.

Safe Work Procedures and Controls

We implement specific controls for common hazards: safe positioning of skips to prevent obstruction, using cones and signage for traffic management, establishing exclusion zones during loading/unloading, and ensuring secure lashing during transport. For hazardous materials, strict segregation and containment measures apply; potentially dangerous loads must not be accepted without prior clearance.

Personal protective equipment, including high-visibility clothing, gloves, boots and eye protection, is provided and must be used where identified by risk assessment. Manual handling is minimised through mechanical aids, correct lifting techniques and team lifts where necessary. Vehicles are maintained under a documented schedule to prevent failures that could endanger staff or the public.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Management

In the event of an incident, immediate steps include securing the scene, providing first aid and notifying emergency services if required. Incidents are recorded and investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Lessons learned are communicated across the rubbish collection team to prevent recurrence.

We maintain clear emergency response arrangements for spill control, fire, vehicle collisions and injury. Spill kits and fire extinguishers are carried on appropriate vehicles, and operatives are trained in their use. Where hazardous waste is discovered, materials are isolated and handled by trained personnel following applicable waste handling protocols.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

• Regular site audits and vehicle inspections to confirm compliance with this policy.
• Performance monitoring through incident metrics, near-miss reporting and safety observations.
• Annual policy review, or sooner following significant change, to ensure alignment with best practice for skip hire and waste handling services.

Subcontractors and Third Parties engaged to deliver skip hire services must operate under equivalent safety arrangements. Contracts require evidence of training, insurance, and adherence to our operational controls. Joint site briefings are conducted where required to manage shared risks.

We encourage a positive safety culture where every worker feels responsible for maintaining safe conditions. Disciplinary procedures are in place for repeated unsafe acts, while good safety behaviour is recognised and supported by management.

Compliance with this policy is mandatory. The policy is supported by documented procedures, risk assessments, and training records. Management will ensure adequate resources are available to maintain safety standards and to continually improve our skip hire and waste removal activities. This statement is periodically reviewed to reflect operational changes and industry best practice.

Signed and adopted by the operational leadership team. This policy sets out our commitment to protect employees, the public and the environment while delivering reliable skip hire, rubbish clearance and waste removal services across our service area.

All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with this policy, apply its requirements in daily operations, and support its ongoing development through active participation in safety initiatives.

End of Policy