Health & Safety Policy for Business Waste Removal Turnham Green

Introduction: This Health and Safety Policy outlines the commitments and procedures adopted by our commercial rubbish removal team to protect employees, clients and the public. It applies to all aspects of business waste removal, including commercial waste collection, office rubbish removal and specialist clearance services. The policy sets out clear responsibilities, safe working practices and the controls used to minimise risk across our rubbish company service area.

Scope and Objectives

Our objectives are straightforward: to maintain a safe working environment, reduce accidents and occupational ill-health, and ensure compliance with relevant health and safety expectations for waste handlers. The policy covers risk assessments, training, equipment standards, vehicle safety and safe handling of hazardous or mixed business refuse. It is intended for managers, drivers, loaders and administrative staff involved in removal of commercial waste.

Responsibilities

All staff have a role to play. Management has overall responsibility to ensure adequate resources, safe systems of work and ongoing monitoring. Supervisors must carry out and record risk assessments and ensure that staff follow safe procedures. Employees are required to follow instructions, use personal protective equipment, report hazards promptly and co-operate with safety training. Contractors and subcontractors must meet the same safety standards when working with or on behalf of the company.

Risk assessment is at the heart of our approach. We conduct regular assessments for routine routes, one-off clearances and any unusual client sites. Assessments identify risks such as manual handling injuries, slips, trips and falls, vehicle movements, hazardous materials, sharps and exposure to dust or biohazards. Control measures include mechanical aids, clear segregation of waste streams, appropriate PPE and designated loading areas to separate pedestrians from vehicles.

Safe systems of work are documented and reviewed. Our rubbish removal crews follow standard operating procedures for loading, securing loads, lifting techniques and maintaining clear communication between driver and loader. Vehicles undergo pre-shift checks and are equipped with CCTV or mirrors to reduce blind spots. Waste containment is audited to avoid spillages during collection and transport.

Training and competence are emphasised: induction, periodic refresher sessions and task-specific instruction (for example handling hazardous business waste or operating compactors) are provided. We maintain training records and only permit trained individuals to carry out higher-risk tasks. First aiders and designated safety contacts are available across shifts to respond quickly to incidents.

Emergency procedures are documented for incidents such as spills, road traffic collisions, injuries and exposure to hazardous substances. Response plans include immediate containment, notification of emergency services if required, isolation of the scene and incident reporting. We investigate all incidents and near misses to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Waste handling and segregation guidance prioritises safety and compliance. Business rubbish is assessed to determine whether it is non-hazardous, commercial hazardous, electronic waste or recyclable material. Our teams use labelled containers, secure lifting points and follow disposal chains that meet environmental and health considerations. Where specialist disposal is required, licensed carriers and authorised treatment facilities are engaged.

Inspections and monitoring are regular and systematic. Supervisors carry out site checks and vehicle inspections; management reviews safety performance through KPIs such as incident rates, training completion and audit scores. We set targets to reduce manual handling injuries and vehicle-related incidents, and we encourage reporting of hazards via a simple, confidential process.

Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare

Appropriate PPE is mandatory where risks cannot be eliminated: high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, gloves suitable for the waste type, eye protection and respiratory protection when needed. Welfare arrangements include access to hand-washing facilities, clean rest areas and procedures to manage fatigue during long collection rounds.

Health surveillance and wellbeing

We promote occupational health by offering health surveillance where risks exist (for example exposure to dust or chemicals), supporting staff with access to occupational health advice and encouraging reporting of health concerns. Mental wellbeing is recognised as a safety factor, and staff are encouraged to raise workload or stress issues early.

Review and continuous improvement: This policy is reviewed at least annually or after any significant change to operations. We engage staff in safety consultations, act on feedback and update procedures to reflect advances in equipment, legislation and best practice. Our commitment to safe business waste removal underpins every service we provide across our rubbish collection area, ensuring that commercial clients receive a reliable, safe and responsible service.