Health & Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Removal East Ham

Policy Statement: This document sets out the health and safety policy for our commercial waste removal operations in and around the East Ham service area. Our aim is to provide a reliable commercial rubbish removal service while protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors, clients and the public. We recognise that safe working practices are essential to delivering an effective commercial waste collection in East Ham and surrounding localities.

Scope and Objectives

This policy applies to all activities associated with commercial waste collection and removal, including office and site-based operations, vehicle loading and transport, skip and bin handling, and any subcontracted work. The objectives are to: reduce workplace risk, ensure legal compliance with applicable health and safety obligations, maintain safe equipment and competent staff, and continually improve safety performance across our rubbish removal service area.

Responsibilities

Responsibility for implementing this policy is shared across the organisation. Key roles include:

• Management — set safety standards, provide resources and ensure compliance.
• Supervisors — maintain safe work schedules, supervise safe systems, and conduct site checks.
• Employees — follow safe systems, wear required PPE, report hazards and incidents.
• Contractors — adhere to company safety rules and provide evidence of competence.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

We undertake regular risk assessments to identify hazards associated with skip loading, manual handling, vehicle movements, sharps and hazardous materials. Identified risks are controlled by implementing safe systems of work, including written procedures, job-specific permits where required, traffic management plans for collection points, and clear segregation protocols for different waste streams. Controls follow the hierarchy of risk management: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and use of personal protective equipment.

Training, Competence and Personal Protective Equipment

All staff engaged in commercial waste removal receive role-specific training before performing duties. Training topics include manual handling, vehicle operation, lone working safeguards, hazardous waste awareness and spill response. Continued competence is maintained by refresher training, toolbox talks and recorded assessments. Employees must use appropriate PPE — gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where necessary. Use of specialist PPE for specific waste types is enforced and regularly inspected for serviceability.

Equipment and vehicle safety are central to our operations. We operate a preventative maintenance programme for all trucks, compactors and lifting gear. Pre-shift vehicle checks are mandatory and defects must be reported immediately. Loading staff follow safe positioning guidelines to avoid crush and entrapment risks. Where mechanical aids are provided, staff are trained and only authorised personnel may operate lifting equipment. We maintain clear procedures for working near public highways to protect both workers and the general public.

Hazardous Waste and Special Collections

Hazardous, clinical or chemical wastes are identified at the point of collection and handled according to statutory requirements and best practice. Our policy requires that such materials are segregated, labelled and transported in secure containers. Where a waste stream falls outside routine commercial waste disposal, staff stop work and seek guidance from supervisors. Disposal follows licensed transfer to authorised treatment facilities, and documentation is retained to demonstrate chain-of-custody.

Accidents, Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported without delay. We operate an incident reporting system to record details and trigger investigations. Investigations aim to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures for spill control, fire, medical emergencies and vehicle incidents are maintained and rehearsed. First aid arrangements are in place at designated sites and staff are informed of emergency contacts and local response arrangements. Prompt reporting and thorough investigation are essential parts of our safety culture.

Monitoring, Records and Policy Review

We monitor our health and safety performance through regular audits, spot checks, incident trend analysis and review of training and maintenance records. Records retained include risk assessments, training logs, vehicle maintenance history, waste transfer documentation and incident reports. This policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner following a significant incident, change in operations or legislative update. The review process includes consultation with staff and, where appropriate, external advisers to ensure continued suitability and effectiveness.