Commercial Waste Addiscombe - Health & Safety Policy

Our company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety in the delivery of commercial waste services in Addiscombe and surrounding service areas. This policy sets out the duties, responsibilities and procedures designed to protect staff, contractors, clients and the public during routine operations such as rubbish collection Addiscombe, commercial rubbish removal and associated waste handling. The aim is to prevent injury, ill health and environmental harm by applying consistent risk control measures and continuous improvement throughout our waste management activities.

Scope and application: This policy applies to all employees, agency staff and contractors engaged in the provision of Commercial Waste Addiscombe services, including site visits, vehicle operations, container handling, transfer of trade refuse and customer premises work. Managers are accountable for ensuring that systems are implemented, while every team member has an active role in following procedures, reporting hazards and contributing to safety reviews. The policy is designed to align with recognised health and safety principles without relying on local procedural specifics.

• Risk assessment: Identify and assess hazards associated with collection routes, load types, manual handling and vehicle movements.
• Safe systems of work: Implement documented procedures for lifting, segregation, containment and transportation of commercial waste.
• PPE and equipment: Maintain and use appropriate protective equipment, vehicle restraints and lifting aids for safe rubbish removal services.

Responsibilities and leadership

Senior management will provide visible leadership, resources and training to ensure the safety policy is effective across our waste collection and waste management Addiscombe operations. Supervisors must ensure that team briefings, route risk checks and vehicle inspections are completed prior to work. Staff are required to follow safe working practices, use issued PPE and report incidents or near misses immediately. Responsibility is shared and reinforced through performance reviews and routine safety communications.

Risk control and safe working practices

Our approach to risk control follows the hierarchy of risk management: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Where possible, manual handling is minimised through use of mechanical aids and secure containment. For hazardous or bulky commercial refuse, teams will follow specified segregation and containment procedures, ensuring secure sealing and correct labelling to protect operatives and the public. Vehicle loading procedures, reversing controls and banked safety checks are mandatory for all collection rounds.

Training and competence: Regular training is provided to ensure staff are competent in commercial rubbish removal Addiscombe tasks, emergency response, manual handling techniques and vehicle safety systems. Records of training and refresher sessions are maintained and evaluated for effectiveness. New recruits undergo induction that emphasises practical safe working demonstrations and the importance of reporting hazards without delay.

Incident reporting and emergency procedures: All accidents, near misses or hazardous exposures must be reported through the company incident system. Investigations are conducted to establish root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures for spills, fires, sharps or other hazardous materials are in place and practised so teams can respond safely and coordinate with emergency services when required.

Vehicle and plant safety: Vehicles used in our rubbish collection services are subject to routine maintenance, pre-shift checks and load-security inspections. Drivers and operators follow designated routes and use appropriate warning systems when operating in public spaces. Equipment such as compactors, lifting gear and tail-lifts are maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidance to reduce mechanical failure risks. Regular audits ensure compliance with safe operation standards.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: The health and safety management system is monitored through audits, performance indicators and staff feedback channels. Findings lead to updated procedures, refresher training and updated equipment as required. This policy is reviewed at least annually or after significant incidents, operational changes, or legislative updates. The objective is to foster a positive safety culture that supports reliable, compliant and safe delivery of commercial waste services across our service area.