Business Waste Removal Chiswick — Health and Safety Policy

This document sets out the Health & Safety Policy for our business waste removal operations. It applies to all aspects of commercial waste collection and commercial rubbish removal across our service area. The policy is designed to ensure a safe working environment for employees, contractors and members of the public while maintaining compliance with statutory obligations and recognised good practice for a rubbish company service area.

Our objectives are to minimise harm, prevent pollution and control risks associated with business waste handling. Management will provide the necessary resources and oversight for safe systems of work, including training, safe equipment and supervision. This policy is supported by documented procedures that define controls for routine and non-routine activities, such as vehicle loading, site clearance and transfer station operations.

The scope covers all commercial waste and business waste removal activities, including loading, transport, temporary storage and disposal. It embraces hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, segregated recyclables and mixed commercial rubbish. All personnel must recognise that waste handling poses physical, chemical and biological hazards and that adherence to this policy is mandatory.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Formal risk assessments will be carried out for all routine tasks and when new equipment or methods are introduced. Assessments will identify hazards such as manual handling, traffic movements, sharps, chemical exposure and slips, trips and falls. Control measures follow the hierarchy of prevention: eliminate where possible, substitute, engineer controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined: senior management provide leadership and resources; supervisors ensure safe working practices; drivers and operatives follow procedures and report hazards. Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and co-operate with instruction and training. Contractors are expected to demonstrate equivalent standards before engagement.

Key safe working procedures include:

• Pre-shift vehicle checks and load security
• Safe manual handling techniques and use of lifting aids
• Segregation of hazardous materials and correct waste labelling
• Traffic management and pedestrian exclusion zones on site

Training and Competency

All operatives receive induction training covering safe waste handling, PPE use, spill response and emergency procedures. Periodic refresher training and competency assessments are provided to maintain standards, especially for vehicle operators and staff handling hazardous materials or sharps. Training records are maintained and reviewed to ensure currency.

Supervisors conduct toolbox talks and site briefings to communicate site-specific risks and control measures. Safe operating procedures for the rubbish collection service area are available to all staff and any procedural changes are communicated promptly. Employees are encouraged to report near misses to support continuous improvement.

The company maintains an incident reporting and investigation process. All accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded, investigated and analysed to identify root causes and corrective actions. Where serious incidents occur, immediate measures are taken to prevent recurrence and regulatory requirements for notification are followed.

Equipment, Vehicles and PPE

Vehicles and plant used in waste collection and business waste removal are maintained to a high standard through scheduled inspections and servicing. Drivers perform daily walk-around checks and report defects. Equipment such as compactors, tippers and lifting devices are subject to statutory examinations where applicable.

Personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be eliminated: high-visibility clothing, gloves, protective footwear, eye protection and respiratory protection when required. PPE selection is based on risk assessment and staff are trained in correct use, storage and maintenance.

Environmental controls are integral: spill kits, containment measures and immediate clean-up procedures are in place to prevent pollution. Waste transfers are recorded and traceable to ensure compliant handling and disposal. The company will act to minimise environmental impact while delivering efficient rubbish company services across its service area.

Periodic monitoring and audit processes assess compliance with this policy. Performance indicators include incident rates, training completion, vehicle defect rectification times and audit findings. Management review ensures the policy remains relevant and that improvements are implemented promptly.

Legal compliance is a minimum standard: the company adheres to applicable health, safety and environmental legislation and keeps abreast of regulatory changes that affect commercial waste collection and business waste removal activities. Where specific legal obligations apply to certain waste types, additional controls take precedence.

This policy is communicated to staff, contractors and relevant stakeholders and is available for review. It will be reviewed at least annually or sooner following significant operational change, incident or regulatory update. Commitment to safety is central to our operations and to maintaining a responsible, reliable commercial rubbish removal service.

Signed authority — The policy is approved by senior management and disseminated to ensure accountability and leadership in health and safety. Its successful implementation depends on the active participation of every person involved in our waste removal operations.

All staff are required to familiarise themselves with this policy and to cooperate with procedures designed to manage risks effectively. Failure to comply with safety procedures may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or contract.

By maintaining robust health and safety arrangements, we aim to protect people, preserve the environment and deliver a dependable rubbish company service area that meets the needs of businesses while controlling risk.