Purley Skip Hire - Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Purley Skip Hire to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, customers and members of the public in connection with our skip hire, rubbish collection and waste removal services. The policy applies across our rubbish company service area and to all activities associated with the provision of skip hire service, including delivery, siting, loading, transport and disposal of waste streams. The company will ensure that safety is prioritised while delivering efficient and compliant rubbish and skip services.

Scope and Responsibilities

The policy covers: safe systems for skip delivery and collection, safe handling of waste, vehicle operation, site safety during loading and unloading, and management of hazardous or restricted materials. Responsibilities are allocated to management and staff to ensure clear accountability. Management will provide resources and oversight; supervisors will implement procedures; operatives will follow instructions and report hazards. This policy supports continuous improvement in our skip hire and rubbish disposal operations and aligns with relevant statutory duties.

Management and Employee Duties

Management will: establish risk assessments, ensure appropriate training, maintain equipment and vehicles, and monitor compliance. Employees will: follow safe working practices, use personal protective equipment (PPE), participate in training, and report incidents. Key actions include:

• Regular risk assessments for collection and delivery points to identify hazards related to traffic, manual handling and site conditions;
• PPE provision and enforcement for operatives involved in loading, lifting and transporting waste;
• Vehicle checks and routine maintenance schedules to ensure safe operation across the rubbish company service area;
• Permit-to-work and site access controls where required; ensuring skips are sited safely and legally.

Operational Controls for Waste Removal - The company will implement controls to reduce risk in day-to-day operations. These include safe vehicle routing to minimise exposure to busy roads, safe manual handling techniques and the use of mechanical aids where possible. All skip hire service staff will be trained in correct lifting posture, securing loads, and segregation of different waste types to prevent contamination and hazardous reactions. Emphasis will be placed on preventing slips, trips and falls when personnel access or work around skips.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures - Risk assessments will be documented and reviewed periodically and whenever operational changes occur. Controls will be prioritised by elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative measures and PPE. For hazardous waste encountered during collections, staff will follow established isolation and reporting procedures and avoid direct handling until a risk-qualified response is arranged. Records of risk assessments, incident reports and follow-up actions will be retained and reviewed to inform future practice.

Training, Competence and Supervision - All staff engaged in skip delivery, collection and waste removal will receive induction and role-specific training that covers safe vehicle operation, traffic management, hazardous materials awareness and emergency procedures. Supervision will be proportionate to risk, with supervisors conducting regular safety briefings and competency assessments. Training will be refreshed at defined intervals and whenever identified by incident investigation or procedural change.

Vehicle and Site Safety

Vehicle safety measures include daily pre-use checks, securement of skips during transit, correct use of vehicle loading equipment and adherence to weight limits. Site safety for customers, contractors and staff is maintained by ensuring skips are positioned to avoid obstructing visibility or access, using appropriate signage and high-visibility clothing, and controlling public access during loading. Where temporary traffic management is required, appropriate measures will be put in place to protect operatives and road users when delivering or collecting skips.

Waste segregation and environmental protection - The company will maintain waste handling procedures that support responsible disposal and recycling. Prohibited items and hazardous materials are identified and must not be placed in general rubbish skips. Procedures for contaminated loads will be enacted to minimise environmental harm and promote material recovery where possible. Waste transfer documentation and duty of care records will be maintained to demonstrate compliance with environmental and waste management obligations across the rubbish collection service area.

Incident Reporting, Emergency Response and Review

Incident reporting requires staff to report all accidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences promptly. The company will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Emergency response plans cover spillage, fire, medical emergencies and transport incidents; these plans will be accessible to staff and practiced through drills where appropriate.

Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement - Regular audits of operations, vehicle maintenance logs and training records will be conducted to ensure policy effectiveness. Performance indicators include incident rates, training completion, audit findings and corrective action closure times. Management will review this Health and Safety policy at least annually and revise it in light of operational changes, legislative updates or following significant incidents. Communication of policy updates will be made to all staff and stakeholders to ensure ongoing compliance and buy-in.

Commitment: Purley Skip Hire is committed to maintaining a safe working environment and providing reliable skip hire, rubbish removal and waste management services. This policy forms part of our legal and ethical framework and is supported by management endorsement, resource allocation and employee participation. All personnel are expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to the requirements herein, contributing to a safer, more sustainable rubbish and skip service for the communities we serve.