Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Swiss Cottage

Scope: This policy sets out the Health and Safety commitments and arrangements for our skip hire and rubbish removal operations. It applies to all staff, contractors and any person acting on behalf of the company across our service area for skip hire services, waste collection and on-site skip operations.

Policy Statement

We are committed to preventing injury and ill health through effective management of risks associated with skip delivery, waste removal, vehicle movements and manual handling. The company will ensure safe systems of work, provide appropriate equipment and maintain a culture where safety is a primary consideration. All personnel are required to comply with this policy and support its implementation.

This policy aims to comply with relevant health and safety obligations and industry standards for skip hire operations. It sets out responsibilities, risk control measures, training and monitoring arrangements to ensure safe waste handling, skip hire services and site management for customers and staff in our operational footprint.

Responsibilities

The company, management and individuals share duties to maintain a safe working environment. Key responsibilities include:

• Company: maintain safe equipment, provide training and ensure risk assessments are in place;
• Managers: implement safe systems, monitor compliance and report hazards;
• Drivers and Operatives: follow safe loading and traffic procedures, use PPE and report unsafe conditions;
• Contractors: comply with company site rules and confirm competency before starting work.

Risk assessments and controls: Risk assessments will be carried out for all common activities including skip delivery and collection, lifting and slinging, manual handling, tipping operations and waste segregation. Controls include mechanical aids, exclusion zones during loading, anti-slip measures on yards and clear instructions for customers on permitted waste types. Special hazards such as asbestos, hazardous liquids and sharps must be identified before works begin and handled in accordance with statutory requirements.

Training and competence: All staff involved in skip hire and rubbish collection will receive appropriate induction and ongoing training. This includes vehicle safety, defensive driving, correct use of lifting equipment, manual handling techniques and safe skip placement. We maintain training records and ensure refresher sessions are provided at suitable intervals. Safety briefings and toolbox talks are used to reinforce good practice.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and vehicle safety: Operatives must wear suitable PPE including high-visibility clothing, gloves, eye protection and safety footwear where required. Vehicles used for skip delivery and waste transport will be maintained to a high standard, with pre-departure checks, securement of loads and documented maintenance schedules. Drivers must adhere to road safety rules and company procedures to reduce the risk of collisions and roadside incidents.

Site operations and waste handling: The company will implement clear procedures for skip placement, loading/unloading, segregation of recyclable materials and safe disposal of general waste. Skips must be sited on stable ground, away from overhead hazards and not obstructing pedestrian routes. We do not accept certain prohibited wastes; staff are instructed on how to identify, isolate and escalate hazardous finds.

Traffic management and public safety: Where deliveries and collections occur on customer premises or in public spaces, traffic management plans will be used to protect pedestrians and other road users. Signage, cones and banksmen will be provided as required. The safety of the public is a priority during all skip hire and rubbish removal tasks, and operations will be suspended if conditions present an unacceptable risk.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting: The company maintains procedures for first aid, fire response and emergency evacuation. All incidents, near misses and injuries must be reported promptly and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. We will cooperate with relevant authorities during investigations and implement corrective actions where necessary. Record keeping and review of incidents, inspections and maintenance form part of our continual improvement process.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement: This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly and following significant changes in operations, incidents or legislative updates. Performance will be monitored through audits, inspections and key performance indicators to ensure the effectiveness of risk controls. A culture of open reporting, consultation and learning is encouraged so that our skip hire, waste removal and rubbish collection services evolve safely and responsibly.