Health & Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Redbridge

Commercial Waste Redbridge commits to a clear, practical and enforceable health and safety policy for all rubbish collection and waste services across our service area. This document sets out our responsibilities, expectations and the procedures that support safe operations for employees, contractors and any third parties who interact with our commercial rubbish collection activities. Our aim is to prevent incidents, reduce occupational risks and ensure compliance with applicable health and safety obligations, while delivering reliable waste management services.

Scope and Objectives

This policy applies to all operations related to our commercial waste services, including transport, collection, handling, segregation and temporary storage of waste materials. We prioritise: risk reduction, employee welfare, safe vehicle operation, and environmental protection. The objectives include maintaining safe workplaces, minimising accidents, and ensuring that staff receive appropriate training and equipment to handle commercial waste safely and efficiently.

Roles and Responsibilities

Responsibility for health and safety is shared. Senior management will provide leadership and resources; supervisors will ensure procedures are followed; employees must work safely and report hazards. Key responsibilities include conducting risk assessments, ensuring safe systems of work for rubbish removal and transfer, and monitoring compliance. All staff are required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), follow traffic management and manual handling procedures, and report near-misses or incidents immediately.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work: Regular risk assessments will identify hazards associated with commercial waste tasks such as heavy lifting, sharps, chemical residues and vehicle operations. We will implement control measures following the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative controls and PPE. Safe systems of work include documented procedures for bulky waste collection, bin lifting, confined space awareness, and secure lorry loading practices to prevent shifting loads and falls.

Training and Competence: All staff undertaking rubbish removal and related services will receive induction training and ongoing refresher training. Training covers manual handling techniques, correct use of PPE, hazardous waste recognition, spill response, fire precautions and safe vehicle operations. Competency checks and toolbox talks will be used to maintain standards. We encourage a culture where supervisory staff coach and correct unsafe behaviours proactively.

Personal Protective Equipment and Welfare: Appropriate PPE such as high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety boots and eye protection will be provided and maintained. Welfare facilities are available to staff for hygienic breaks and change of contaminated clothing. It is mandatory to wear PPE during waste handling and to follow washing and decontamination procedures after contact with potentially hazardous materials.

Vehicle and Traffic Safety: Our fleet is regularly maintained and inspected. Drivers and loaders must ensure vehicles are securely loaded and that routes are planned to minimise risk in busy commercial areas. Traffic management measures, reversing alarms and banksman guidance will be used at sites where necessary to protect employees and the public during rubbish collection and commercial refuse transfers.

Hazardous Waste and Segregation: When handling potentially hazardous commercial waste, staff must follow segregation protocols to prevent contamination and injury. Hazardous materials, sharps, and chemical wastes are to be identified, segregated and handled in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures. Emergency spill kits and clear labelling reduce the risk of cross-contamination during collection and transport.

Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continuous Improvement: All accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported without delay. Reported incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Findings will be communicated to staff and used to improve procedures and training. We will monitor performance through audits, inspections and regular review of safety metrics to drive continuous improvement in our commercial rubbish collection and waste management services.

Emergency Preparedness and First Aid: Emergency plans are in place for fire, spill, medical emergencies and severe weather. Adequately trained first aiders and first aid kits are available on-site and in vehicles where operationally appropriate. Employees are briefed on evacuation routes, emergency contacts and safe assembly points as part of routine safety protocols.

Performance Monitoring and Review: We will review this policy annually or when operational changes occur, to ensure it remains effective and relevant to our commercial waste operations. Performance indicators include incident rates, audit findings, training completion rates and corrective action closure times. Senior management will conduct periodic reviews and communicate changes to all staff.

Commitment: We are committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our workforce, visitors and the public while delivering professional rubbish collection and commercial waste services. By following this policy and maintaining active engagement at all levels of the organisation, we will ensure safe, lawful and responsible waste management across our service area.