Health & Safety Policy for Commercial Waste Removal Shepherds Bush

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of our commercial waste removal teams to manage risks and protect employees, contractors and the public during commercial rubbish collection and commercial waste removal services. Our objective is to ensure all site activities comply with applicable health and safety standards, reduce incidents, and maintain safe working environments while providing reliable rubbish disposal and removal across the service area.

Scope: This policy applies to all operations related to commercial waste handling, including commercial rubbish collection in Shepherds Bush, vehicle loading and unloading, on-site container management and transfer of waste to licensed facilities. It covers permanent staff, temporary workers, subcontractors and anyone engaged in activities on behalf of the business. The policy is designed to align with relevant statutory duties without reproducing legal texts, and to be operationally practical for teams delivering heavy-duty waste removal and light commercial refuse clearance.

Responsibilities: Line managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy, conducting risk assessments and ensuring safe systems of work are followed. Employees must take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others and report hazards or incidents promptly. The company will provide resources, training and supervision so that staff performing commercial waste removal duties are competent, aware of hazards and equipped to operate safely.

Risk Assessment: Prior to any commercial rubbish removal task, a documented risk assessment will identify hazards such as manual handling, traffic interaction, hazardous materials, sharps, and biological contamination. Control measures will be implemented using the hierarchy of controls: eliminate where possible, substitute, apply engineering or administrative controls, and ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used. Assessments will be reviewed regularly and when work conditions change.

Training and Competence: All personnel engaged in waste removal services must receive induction training covering safe manual handling, correct use of lifting aids, PPE selection, vehicle operation basics, and spill response. Refresher training will be provided at defined intervals and after any incident. Competence will be recorded and monitored to ensure the rubbish collection workforce remains capable of carrying out commercial waste removal tasks safely and efficiently.

Equipment and Vehicles: Vehicles and equipment used for commercial waste removal are subject to pre-use checks and routine maintenance. Drivers and operators must follow vehicle safety protocols including load securing, reversing procedures, and safe site access. Mechanical aids such as skips, compactors and trolleys will be inspected and maintained to reduce manual handling risks and avoid equipment-related injuries.

Hazardous Waste: Special procedures are required for segregation, containment and transportation of hazardous or potentially infectious waste. Chemical, oily rags, asbestos-containing materials or sharps will be identified, isolated and handled by trained personnel according to designated waste streams. Clear labelling and secure packaging are mandatory, and disposal will occur only at authorised facilities.

Personal Protective Equipment: PPE will be provided where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Typical items include high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for the waste type, protective boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or fumes are present. Staff must wear PPE as instructed; PPE standards and maintenance are enforced by supervisors.

Monitoring, Incident Reporting and Review: A robust reporting system will record incidents, near misses and safety observations. Investigations will identify root causes and corrective actions; lessons learned will be shared with teams as part of continuous improvement. Regular audits and inspections will monitor compliance with this policy. The policy will be reviewed annually or following significant operational change to ensure it remains effective for commercial waste removal operations across the service area.

Duties and Communication: Management will maintain clear allocation of responsibilities and ensure health and safety information is communicated to all employees. Key duties include:

• Management: Provide resources, maintain safe equipment and ensure statutory duties are met.
• Supervisors: Implement safe systems of work, carry out risk assessments and supervise operations.
• Employees: Follow procedures, wear required PPE and report hazards promptly.

Emergency Preparedness: Emergency arrangements will be established and communicated, including spill response, first aid provision and procedures for vehicle incidents or site emergencies. Training and drills will be scheduled periodically to ensure teams are familiar with emergency roles and responsibilities during commercial rubbish and waste removal activities.

Policy Commitment: The organisation is committed to fostering a safety culture where every person involved in commercial waste and rubbish removal understands their role in preventing harm and protecting the environment. Regular feedback loops, documented checks and management oversight ensure the policy is applied consistently, supporting safe, compliant and professional waste removal services throughout the service area.