Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Sutton

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments and practical arrangements that govern safe operations for Skip Hire Sutton. It applies to all activities related to our skip hire and rubbish removal operations across the company service area and supports our aim to deliver reliable waste collection and rubbish removal in the service area with minimum risk. We recognise our legal and moral duty to protect employees, contractors, customers and the public. Safe working is a core value and everyone must play a part to maintain a safe working environment.

Scope and Responsibilities

The policy covers all on-site and off-site tasks associated with skip hire, waste transfer, temporary storage and vehicle-based waste collection in our local rubbish company service area. Management is responsible for establishing safe systems, providing resources and monitoring compliance. Supervisors must ensure staff are competent and follow procedures. All personnel have a duty to report hazards, follow instructions and use issued personal protective equipment. Contractors and third-party drivers used for skip transport will comply with our standards and permit-to-work arrangements.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

We will undertake systematic risk assessments for routine tasks such as skip loading, manual handling of waste bags and debris, vehicle loading, site placement and collection routes in the waste disposal service area. Risk controls include task-specific safe work procedures, lifting aids, exclusion zones during loading and clear signage at collection points. The policy mandates dynamic risk assessment where conditions change, and the use of permitted load limits to avoid overhanging, spillage and hazards to pedestrians and road users.

Training, Competence and Supervision

We will provide appropriate training and induction for all staff, including drivers, loaders and office-based personnel who monitor operations. Training covers manual handling, correct use of lifting equipment, safe operation of small plant, traffic management when positioning skips and safe rubbish handling. Regular toolbox talks and documented refresher training ensure competence in the skip hire service area. Supervision levels will be matched to task risk profiles and staff experience to maintain effective oversight.

Equipment, Vehicles and Personal Protective Equipment

All vehicles and plant used for skip delivery and collection will be maintained to manufacturers’ standards and subjected to routine inspections. Vehicle loading procedures emphasise securement and prevention of debris release during transit across the waste management service area. We will issue and enforce the use of appropriate PPE including high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety boots and eye protection. Faulty equipment is to be taken out of service until authorised repair is completed.

• Pre-use vehicle checks
• Load securement and containment
• Provision of spill kits and broom kits

Handling special wastes such as asbestos-contaminated material, solvents, batteries and electrical items requires segregation and documented procedures. Such materials must not be placed in general skips and will be managed according to hazardous waste regulations. Where specialist removal is required, only licensed carriers will be used and appropriate waste transfer documentation will be completed to maintain traceability in the rubbish collection area.

Incident Reporting, Investigation and First Response Incidents, near misses and non-conformances will be reported without delay through our established reporting channels. Immediate first-aid actions and emergency arrangements are in place for injury, spillage or vehicle incidents. An internal investigation procedure will identify root causes and corrective actions; lessons learned will be communicated across the skip hire service area to prevent recurrence. We will keep incident records and use them for continuous improvement and audit purposes.

Monitoring, Audit and Performance The company will monitor safety performance using leading and lagging indicators such as training completion rates, safety observations, near-miss reports and incident trends. Regular internal audits, periodic external reviews and site inspections will assess compliance with this policy and associated procedures. Where deviations are found, a corrective action plan with responsible persons and timelines will be implemented. Management will review key performance data and set improvement targets for the local rubbish company service area.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement This policy will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if there are significant changes to operations, legislation or after a major incident. Reviews will consider evolving risks across the service area, technological advances in waste handling and feedback from staff safety representatives. The aim is to embed a positive safety culture that balances operational effectiveness with the wellbeing of employees and the wider public. All employees are expected to support and comply with this policy and to contribute suggestions for improved safety in our waste collection and rubbish removal operations.

Commitment Statement Skip Hire Sutton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment and to managing risks associated with skip hire and waste services across our service area. Senior management endorses this policy and will allocate resources necessary to meet its objectives. Compliance is mandatory for all staff and contractors; failure to follow safety procedures will be treated seriously and remedial action taken.

Key responsibilities include maintaining safe vehicles and equipment, ensuring competent staff through training, implementing rigorous segregation for hazardous materials and sustaining robust reporting and auditing systems. Through these measures we aim to protect people, property and the environment while delivering dependable rubbish collection and skip hire services throughout the area we serve.

Sign-off This document represents the health and safety framework for our operational activities. It should be read in conjunction with site-specific procedures, operational risk assessments and relevant statutory requirements. Management will communicate this policy to all staff, display it where appropriate and make it available to interested parties upon request. Together we will maintain high standards of safety across the skip hire and rubbish company service areas.