Health and Safety Policy for Commercial Waste Removal Earls Court

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of our commercial waste removal team to protect staff, contractors and clients during all rubbish removal Earls Court operations. Safety is integral to every job we undertake, whether a routine commercial rubbish collection or a complex waste removal service in Earls Court. The policy explains responsibilities, safe systems of work, and the controls we apply to minimise risk across our service area. It is written to be practical and enforceable, emphasising proactive risk control and continuous improvement.

Scope and Objectives

The policy applies to all employees, agency personnel and subcontractors engaged in commercial waste management Earls Court operations, vehicle crews, depot staff and office-based personnel who coordinate collections. Our objectives are to reduce incidents, prevent injuries, ensure safe handling of all waste types, and maintain compliant plant and vehicles. We aim to integrate health and safety into everyday working practices and to promote a safety-first culture across our rubbish collection and disposal activities.

Responsibilities: Management will ensure adequate resources, training and supervision are provided. Supervisors must perform job-specific briefings and confirm competence before work starts. Employees are responsible for following instructions, using issued personal protective equipment, and reporting hazards or near-misses immediately. Contractors engaged for commercial refuse removal must meet our safety standards and provide necessary risk assessments before commencing work. Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining safe systems of work for collections and site access
• Ensuring vehicles and lifting equipment are inspected and safe
• Clear communication of risks and control measures for each job

Risk Assessment and Control Measures: All operations are preceded by a documented risk assessment proportionate to the task. Control measures include exclusion zones, traffic management, mechanical aids for lifting, and restrictions on manual handling where practicable. High-risk tasks such as loading bulky items or operating tail lifts require task-specific assessments. Routine pre-shift checks and documented safe work permits apply for atypical sites to prevent slips, trips, falls and vehicle incidents during commercial rubbish collection activities.

Training and Competence: We provide role-specific training covering manual handling, hazardous waste awareness, vehicle operation and safe use of equipment. Induction training is mandatory for new starters and temporary staff; refresher training is scheduled by risk profile. Drivers and loaders must demonstrate competence in loading techniques, segregation of recyclable material from general waste, and safe reversing procedures. Records of training, assessments and toolbox talks are maintained centrally to evidence continuing competence and readiness for commercial waste removal tasks.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hygiene: Appropriate PPE is provided and must be used where required: high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety boots, eye protection and weather-appropriate outerwear. PPE selection is based on assessed hazards and reviewed regularly. Employees must maintain hygiene standards, use hand-wash facilities, and avoid cross-contamination when handling food waste, sharps or potentially infectious materials. All used PPE is disposed of or laundered in accordance with contamination controls.

Vehicle and Equipment Safety: Vehicles used for rubbish removal services are subject to scheduled maintenance, safety checks and secure load procedures. Drivers must complete pre-use vehicle checks and log defects. Tail lifts, winches and compactors are operated only by trained staff. Any mechanical fault that could affect safety results in immediate removal from service until rectified, and alternative arrangements are made to complete collections safely.

Hazardous and Controlled Waste: Hazardous waste is identified, segregated and managed according to established procedures. Items such as batteries, solvents, asbestos-containing materials and sharps are handled by trained teams with appropriate containment, labelling and documentation. If hazardous materials are discovered unexpectedly during a collection, the crew will isolate the item, notify their supervisor and follow the emergency response protocol. We do not accept unknown hazardous loads without prior assessment.

Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergency Response: All incidents, injuries and near-misses are reported, investigated and used to inform preventative actions. First aid trained personnel and suitable kits are available across the operation. Emergency procedures cover spill containment, fire response and medical emergencies. Lessons learned from investigations feed into revised risk assessments and refresher training to prevent recurrence in future commercial waste operations.

Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement: Health and safety performance is monitored through inspections, audits and key performance indicators. Regular site audits and ride-alongs evaluate compliance with safe working practices and rubbish collection standards. Findings are assigned actions, and performance is reviewed at management meetings to support continuous improvement in our commercial rubbish removal service standards. We commit to reviewing this policy annually or after significant change or incident.

Contractor Management and Subcontracting: Subcontractors and temporary labour are selected following verification of competence, insurance and safety arrangements. Before commencing, contractors must provide method statements and risk assessments relevant to the work. Supervision ensures subcontracted commercial waste tasks meet our health and safety expectations and the same standards apply whether work is part of routine rubbish collection or a one-off clearance.

Policy Endorsement: This Health and Safety policy is supported by senior management and applies to all staff involved in commercial waste removal across our service area. Compliance with the policy is a condition of engagement, and failure to adhere may result in disciplinary measures. Everyone is encouraged to take personal responsibility for health and safety and to contribute to creating a safer working environment for commercial waste collection and disposal activities.