Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Putney

Policy Statement: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Skip Hire Putney and its associated waste removal services to maintain a safe working environment for employees, contractors, clients and the public. The purpose of this document is to define responsibilities, risk controls and operational standards that support safe delivery of skip hire, rubbish collection and waste management activities across our service area. The policy applies to all operations, including vehicle movements, site loading and unloading, waste segregation and on-site customer interactions.

All personnel involved with our skip hire and rubbish removal operations must understand their obligations. Management will provide the necessary resources, training and equipment to minimise risk and ensure compliant practice. We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and we will adopt a proactive approach to risk assessment, incident prevention and continual improvement.

Responsibilities and Duties

Management is responsible for: developing the safety management system, ensuring appropriate risk controls are in place and conducting regular safety reviews. Supervisors must implement daily safety checks, ensure staff conformity with procedures and report hazards. Employees and contractors are required to follow safe systems of work, use personal protective equipment, report unsafe conditions and participate in training.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Regular risk assessments will be conducted for all routine activities. Identified hazards will be recorded, assessed for severity and likelihood, and controlled using the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). Controls for typical activities include safe loading protocols, segregation of hazardous wastes, use of tail-lifts and barriers, and clear procedures for working near public thoroughfares.

Key operational controls include:

• Vehicle safety — daily checks, secure loads, reversing alarms and designated loading zones;
• Manual handling — mechanical aids where possible, training in lifting techniques and team lifts for heavy items;
• Waste segregation — clear labelling, containment of hazardous materials and refusal of prohibited items.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Adequate PPE will be provided and maintained, including hi-visibility clothing, gloves, safety footwear, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or fumes are present. Use of PPE is mandatory wherever specified by risk assessments, and compliance will be monitored.

Training and competence are essential for safe performance. All staff will receive induction training covering company safety policy, safe working procedures and emergency actions. Job-specific training will be delivered for vehicle operators, loader personnel and those handling hazardous waste. Records of training, certifications and competence checks will be maintained.

Incident Reporting and Investigation: All accidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly. Incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence. Learning from incidents will be shared across the business so that best practice is applied consistently.

Emergency Preparedness: Emergency procedures will include first aid provisions, fire response, spill containment and arrangements for medical assistance. Employees will be familiarised with emergency contacts, muster points and actions to take in the event of a major incident. Regular drills and reviews of emergency arrangements will be carried out.

Contractor and Third-Party Management

We expect third parties and subcontractors engaged in skip delivery, collection or rubbish removal to operate to equivalent safety standards. Contractors must provide evidence of their safety arrangements, training records and insurance cover prior to commencement. Performance will be monitored and non-conformance addressed through corrective action.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

The effectiveness of this policy will be monitored through inspections, audits, safety meetings and performance metrics such as incident rates and corrective action completion. Management will review the policy at planned intervals and whenever significant changes to operations occur. Continuous improvement is achieved by acting on audit findings, stakeholder feedback and changes in legislation or industry guidance.

Enforcement and Disciplinary Action: Compliance with safety procedures is mandatory. Failure to follow safe working practices may lead to disciplinary measures. We promote a supportive culture that encourages reporting and correction of unsafe behaviour, but persistent or reckless breaches will be treated seriously to protect everyone involved.

Scope and Legal Compliance: This policy covers all activities related to skip hire, rubbish collection and waste removal across our operational area. It is designed to meet applicable statutory duties and to provide a framework for safe operations. Where relevant legal requirements exist, these will be referenced and complied with; this document does not replace statutory guidance but summarises our commitments and operational approach to health and safety.

Commitment: Management and staff at Skip Hire Putney commit to maintaining a safe workplace through active risk management, training, communication and continuous improvement. This policy will be communicated to all employees and made available to stakeholders as part of our ongoing commitment to health and safety excellence.