Health & Safety Policy — Business Waste Removal Chingford

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the responsibilities and safe working practices for our business waste removal operations. It applies to all staff engaged in commercial rubbish removal, contracted teams, and temporary operatives working across our rubbish company service area. The policy ensures that waste transfer, vehicle operation, manual handling, and on-site activities are managed to protect employees, clients, and the public.

The scope of this policy covers routine waste removal service activities including collection, loading, transport and disposal of non-hazardous business waste, plus procedures for identified hazardous items. Our aim is to maintain safe systems of work that satisfy statutory duties, reduce incidents, and support continuous improvement in workplace safety.

Key responsibilities are allocated as follows: senior management retains overall accountability for safety performance and resource allocation; site supervisors and drivers implement risk controls and daily checks; every employee must follow safe work methods and report hazards promptly. All staff will receive appropriate training for their role on our rubbish collection service teams.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Before any job, a risk assessment must be conducted to identify potential hazards such as manual handling risks, traffic interaction, sharps and contaminants in business waste, and vehicle loading constraints. Controls will be selected using hierarchy of control principles: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Controls for routine collections include designated loading zones, safe vehicle parking protocols, provision of wheel chocks where needed, clear segregation of recyclable materials, and secure containment of loose refuse to prevent spillage during transit. Our rubbish company policy emphasises defensive driving, planned drop-off routes, and use of appropriate lifting aids for bulky commercial rubbish removal.

Personal protective equipment is mandatory where residual risk remains. This includes hi-visibility clothing, gloves resistant to cuts and contamination, safety boots, and eye protection for specific tasks. PPE selection and maintenance are documented and supervised by line managers, with replacement provided as necessary.

Training, Competence and Supervision

All personnel engaged in waste handling must be trained and competent. Training covers manual handling techniques, safe vehicle operation, hazardous waste recognition, spill response, and emergency procedures. Refresher sessions will be provided periodically and whenever processes change.

Supervisors will perform routine checks and toolbox talks to reinforce safe practices. Records of training, licenses and medical surveillance (where required) are maintained to ensure that our waste removal service teams remain capable and compliant with safety expectations.

To support safe operations we maintain clear, written procedures and a list of essential controls, including:

• Pre-operational vehicle checks and load securement
• Site-specific risk communication prior to work commencement
• Use of mechanical aids and team lifts for heavy items
• Immediate isolation and reporting of hazardous items or sharp objects
• Emergency contact protocols and incident recording

Incident Reporting and Investigation: any injury, near miss or vehicle collision must be reported without delay. Incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Lessons learned will be shared across the rubbish company service area to prevent recurrence and to improve the overall safety management system.

Hazardous or restricted wastes discovered during collections will be handled according to statutory controls. Unsure or unknown substances will be segregated, contained and reported to the appropriate authority for safe disposal. Employees must never attempt to treat hazardous waste themselves beyond safe containment and notification.

Vehicle safety, loading limits and maintenance schedules are strictly enforced. All drivers must adhere to load restraint standards and duty of care obligations during the waste transport process. Regular vehicle inspections and scheduled servicing aim to keep the fleet in safe, roadworthy condition.

Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement: the policy will be reviewed annually or when operational changes occur. Performance metrics such as incident rates, near-miss reports, and audit findings will guide improvement activity. Audits are conducted to verify compliance with procedures across the broader service region served by our rubbish collection teams.

Health surveillance, where identified as necessary, will be implemented and records retained in accordance with privacy obligations. Our commitment is to reduce occupational exposure to hazardous substances, noise, and repetitive strain through engineering controls and work design.

This policy provides a framework for safe operations in our commercial waste and rubbish collection services. It is supported by documented procedures, training, and allocated responsibilities. Management will provide the necessary resources to ensure compliance and safe working conditions across the rubbish company service area.