Health and Safety Policy for Business Waste Removal Forest Hill

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of our commercial rubbish and business waste removal operation to maintain safe, legal and sustainable working practices across our service area. The policy applies to all aspects of the waste removal process including commercial waste collection, on-site clearance, transfer activities and depot handling. It reflects our obligation to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public while delivering professional rubbish collection and removal services. The scope covers routine transfers, bulky waste clearances and associated vehicle movements within our designated service area.

Management has the responsibility to provide adequate resources, competent supervision and documented systems that support safe operations. Our senior management will ensure that risk assessments are current, that procedures are implemented consistently, and that roles and accountabilities are clearly defined. This policy underlines the duty to establish safe working practices, provide appropriate training and maintain records demonstrating ongoing compliance with safety standards for a rubbish company operating in an urban service area.

Employees, subcontractors and temporary staff must follow established procedures for waste segregation, manual handling, vehicle operation and site safety. All personnel are required to report hazards, near misses and accidents promptly so controls can be reviewed. Training will be provided for new starters and refreshed periodically, covering:

• Safe manual handling and lifting techniques
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) relevant to waste handling
• Safe operation of waste transport vehicles and lifting equipment

These measures form the core of our approach to reducing risk during rubbish removal, site clearances and container handling.

Risk Assessment, Controls and Operational Standards

Risk assessments will be undertaken for routine and non-routine tasks, including site assessments prior to undertaking commercial waste removal tasks. Identified hazards such as sharps, hazardous liquids, unstable loads or obstructions will be controlled through a hierarchy of measures: elimination where possible, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE as a last resort. We maintain documented safe systems of work for high-risk tasks and require supervisors to verify that safe methods are followed on every job.

The company is committed to robust vehicle and plant safety management. Vehicles used in our rubbish collection and business waste removal services are subject to pre-shift checks, scheduled maintenance and secure loading procedures to prevent shifting during transit. Drivers and plant operators will have appropriate licenses, training and communication equipment. Loading and unloading zones are assessed for public safety, with clear segregation between pedestrian routes and vehicle movements to protect the public and site operatives.

Waste segregation and handling protocols are strictly enforced to reduce contamination and hazardous exposures. Recyclable materials are separated at source where possible, and items requiring specialist disposal (e.g., batteries, asbestos-containing materials, chemicals) are clearly identified and referred to licensed facilities. Documentation such as waste transfer notes and control records are maintained to ensure traceability and compliance with regulatory expectations for rubbish contractors operating in the area.

Training, PPE and Emergency Preparedness

Personal protective equipment will be supplied and maintained in good condition. Standard PPE for waste removal tasks includes high-visibility clothing, gloves appropriate for handling mixed waste, steel-toe footwear and eye protection where risk assessments indicate. Additional specialised PPE is provided for tasks involving contaminated or hazardous materials. Competency checks and refresher training ensure staff know when and how to use PPE correctly.

Emergency arrangements are in place to manage incidents such as spills, injury, fire or vehicle collisions. Emergency procedures include immediate first aid measures, containment of hazardous releases, notification to relevant emergency services and securing the area to prevent public exposure. Staff receive training in the company emergency response plan and are drilled periodically to ensure effectiveness. Incident reporting and investigation processes aim to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, performance review and continuous improvement are integral to this policy. We undertake routine audits, inspections and reviews of accident statistics, near-miss reports and audit findings to drive safer operations. Key performance indicators for health and safety include reductions in lost time injuries, timely completion of risk assessments, and rates of compliance with vehicle inspection schedules. The policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner if operational or legislative changes require it.

The success of this Health and Safety Policy for our rubbish removal and commercial waste services depends on the active participation and cooperation of everyone involved. Supervisors will ensure that safe systems are followed; employees are expected to act responsibly, attend training and use provided safety measures; and management will provide leadership, resources and assurance to maintain a safe working environment. Through these commitments we aim to deliver efficient waste removal, protect health and safety, and minimise environmental impact across our operational area.

Implementation of the policy will be supported by documented procedures for risk assessment, vehicle and plant management, hazardous waste handling, PPE provision and emergency response. Routine communication channels including toolbox talks, safety briefings and documented handovers will be used to share safety information and reinforce best practices. Contractors and temporary staff will be assessed before engagement to ensure their safety standards align with our expectations for professional rubbish removal services.

This policy represents our ongoing commitment to safe business waste removal, compliant waste transfer practices and continuous improvement within the rubbish collection and commercial disposal sector. It will be made available to all staff and relevant stakeholders and used as the foundation for safe, accountable and sustainable service delivery across the areas we serve.