Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Blackwall

Introduction: This Health and Safety policy outlines the commitment of our skip hire and rubbish removal service to provide a safe working environment for staff, contractors and the public. Our aim is to prevent accidents, reduce risks associated with waste transfer and ensure that every operation — from placing a skip to collecting bulky waste — meets robust safety standards. Safety is integral to our operations and applies across all service areas, including skip delivery, siting, loading, transportation and disposal of waste.

Scope and Objectives

This policy applies to all employees, subcontractors and visitors who are involved in waste collection and skip hire services. It sets out responsibilities for risk assessment, training and incident reporting, and specifies how we will manage hazards associated with manual handling, traffic management, hazardous materials and environmental protection. Our objectives include: maintaining safe plant and equipment, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, and fostering a safety-first culture in every rubbish removal and skip hire activity.

Responsibilities — Management will provide leadership and resources to implement this policy. Staff are required to follow safety procedures and report hazards immediately. Contractors must operate within agreed safe systems. Responsibilities include:

• Carrying out routine risk assessments for skip siting and collection.
• Maintaining safe access and egress at work sites.
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for refuse handling and vehicle operations.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

We conduct systematic risk assessments for each job, including site surveys and vehicle checks. Risk controls are implemented using hierarchy of measures: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative actions and PPE. For example, skip placement avoids obstructing sightlines on roads, manual handling is minimised with mechanical aids and hazardous waste is segregated and labelled for specialist disposal. Regular inspections are scheduled to ensure controls remain effective.

Training and Competence

All staff receive role-specific training before undertaking rubbish collection or skip operations. Training covers safe driving, secure loading practices, spill response and the correct use of lifting equipment. Competence is assessed periodically and refresher courses are provided. We encourage a culture where employees speak up about unsafe work and where supervisors coach during routine operations to reinforce safe behaviours.

Equipment and vehicle maintenance are critical to safety. Regular maintenance schedules, pre-shift checks and secure load checks are recorded. Any defects found during inspections are reported and acted upon without delay. Vehicles used for waste transportation are fitted with appropriate signage and safety devices, while skips and attachments are checked for structural integrity, lock mechanisms and lifting points to reduce the risk of dropped loads or movement during transit.

Operational Procedures and Site Safety

Our operational procedures cover delivery, placement, loading and collection of skips. When delivering or collecting at a site, we assess traffic flow and pedestrian access, apply temporary controls such as cones or barriers and, where needed, use banksmen to direct vehicles. Loading instructions ensure waste is distributed evenly within the skip and heavy items are positioned to minimise manual handling. Hot works, hazardous substances and asbestos are not accepted in general skips and are managed under specialised protocols when present.

Emergency preparedness includes clear reporting lines, incident investigation, and corrective action plans. Spill kits are available and staff are trained in containment. First aid provisions and arrangements for emergency medical assistance are maintained at operational depots. Incident records are reviewed to identify trends and prevent recurrence; lessons learned are incorporated into ongoing training and procedural updates.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement We monitor performance through audits, near-miss reporting and safety inspections. Key performance indicators include incident frequency, training completion rates and vehicle inspection compliance. This Health and Safety policy is reviewed at least annually or following significant changes to operations, equipment or legislation. Staff input is encouraged through toolbox talks and safety meetings to ensure the policy remains practical and effective. By embedding these measures into everyday routines, our skip hire and rubbish collection services maintain a high standard of safety for people and the environment.