Health and Safety Policy — Wandsworth Skip Hire

Wandsworth Skip Hire is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by skip hire and rubbish removal operations. This policy applies to all activities carried out by the company across its service area, including rubbish collection, waste transfer, on-site skip placement and haulage. The purpose of this document is to set out clear responsibilities, control measures and monitoring arrangements so that risks associated with skip services, bulky waste removal and site operations are minimised.

Scope and objectives

The objectives of this policy are to: prevent injury and ill health; ensure compliance with applicable health and safety obligations; and promote safe behaviour throughout our rubbish and skip operations. The scope includes daily collections, deliveries, loading and unloading, interaction with the public, temporary site setups and any subcontracted activities. All personnel must make safety a priority when planning and executing tasks.

Roles, responsibilities and accountability

• Directors: set the policy, provide resources and ensure legal compliance.
• Operations Managers: implement safe systems of work and manage risk assessments.
• Drivers and Operatives: follow procedures, wear required PPE and report hazards.
• Contractors and Subcontractors: maintain standards equivalent to company policy while on company work.
• Employees: take reasonable care of themselves and others, cooperate with safety measures.

This allocation of responsibility ensures practical oversight of everyday rubbish removal activities and skip placement in the service area while promoting clear lines of accountability.

Risk assessment and control measures

Risk assessments are carried out for all routine activities and for unusual or high-risk tasks. Identified hazards include manual handling, vehicle movements, loading/unloading of skips, interaction with live traffic, hazardous waste contamination and falls from height when loading large containers. Controls include:

• Safe loading procedures and team lifting where appropriate.
• PPE such as gloves, hi-vis, safety boots, and eye protection.
• Traffic management and exclusion zones on public highways and private sites.
• Segregation of hazardous materials and clear instructions to customers about prohibited wastes.

Safe systems of work and operational controls

The company adopts documented safe systems of work for common activities including skip delivery and collection, on-site loading, and transfer station procedures. Permit-to-work arrangements apply where hazardous materials are suspected. Equipment checks, secure skip fastening on vehicles and the use of mechanical lifting aids are mandatory where practicable. Employees must not attempt to handle waste that could be hazardous without proper training and support.

Training and competence are central to safe service delivery. Inductions, ongoing training, toolbox talks and refresher briefings ensure that all staff are competent in manual handling, vehicle safety and waste classification. Records of training and certifications are maintained to demonstrate competence for operational staff, drivers and supervisors. Competence is verified prior to authorising staff to drive specialist vehicles or to perform high-risk tasks.

Communication, reporting and emergency response

Clear communication channels are maintained so that risks are reported and addressed promptly. All incidents, near-misses and unsafe conditions must be reported through the company’s internal reporting system. Emergency procedures cover first aid, spill response, fire and coordinating with emergency services. Regular drills and site-specific briefings help employees to react quickly and safely in the event of an incident.

Monitoring, inspection and vehicle safety

Regular site inspections, vehicle maintenance schedules and equipment checks are carried out to ensure ongoing safety of rubbish handling and skip operations. Vehicles are subject to daily walkaround checks, periodic professional servicing and documented defect reporting. Housekeeping standards on site and at transfer locations prevent slips, trips and falls and contribute to efficient rubbish collection and disposal processes across the service area.

Hazardous waste and contamination control: The business will not accept hazardous wastes without appropriate permits and processes. Where hazardous materials are encountered unexpectedly, operations stop, the material is isolated and senior management are notified to arrange specialist removal. Procedures for hazardous waste are kept up to date and staff are trained in safe segregation, containment and reporting.

Review and continual improvement — This policy will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner following significant incidents, operational changes or changes in regulations. Performance is reviewed through audits, incident trends and feedback from operational staff; improvements are implemented to reduce risk and to enhance the safety of rubbish removal and skip services. Compliance with this policy is mandatory; failure to follow established safety procedures may result in disciplinary action. The company encourages an open safety culture where staff feel empowered to stop work if they believe there is an immediate risk.