Skip Hire Sanderstead — Health & Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Skip Hire Sanderstead to maintain safe operations for all skip hire and rubbish collection activities across our service area. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that waste removal, skip placement and site operations are conducted in a way that protects employees, contractors, customers and the public. Our approach is preventative: to identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls so that incidents are minimised and compliance with statutory duties is consistently met.

We operate a professional skip hire and rubbish removal service and accept responsibility for maintaining safe systems of work for all tasks, including manual handling of waste, vehicle loading and unloading, and the handling of potentially hazardous materials. Management will provide leadership, resources and training to ensure duties under health and safety law are fulfilled. All staff must cooperate with safety procedures and report known risks promptly.

The policy applies to all aspects of our waste collection and skip hire operations, including customer sites, vehicle yards and transfer activities. Employees will receive training covering safe use of lifting equipment, correct securing of loads, safe operation of plant and machinery, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Records of training and competence assessments will be maintained to demonstrate ongoing capability to perform tasks safely.

Organisational Responsibilities and Risk Management

Risk assessments will be carried out for routine and non-routine activities carried out by our rubbish company, including skip deliveries, collections and roadside placements. Controls will be proportionate to the risk and may include exclusions for hazardous wastes, segregation of materials, and instructions on public safety measures such as signage and secure placement. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring risk mitigation measures are implemented before work begins.

The named safety lead will coordinate incident reporting, investigation and corrective action. In the event of an accident or near miss involving skip hire, the company will undertake a thorough investigation, implement remedial actions and provide feedback to staff. Lessons learned will be incorporated into revised procedures to reduce recurrence and improve our skip hire service standards.

We maintain a system for the safe classification, handling and documentation of waste that prevents cross-contamination and ensures compliant disposal. Waste acceptance procedures are designed to manage hazardous materials: items such as solvents, asbestos, contaminated soils or regulated clinical waste will be refused for general skip hire and referred to specialist operators where necessary.

Training, PPE and Safe Systems of Work

Staff receive training on safe manual handling for rubbish clearance and skip loading, including correct lifting techniques and use of mechanical aids where possible. The company will supply and enforce use of appropriate PPE such as hi-visibility clothing, gloves, safety boots and eye protection. PPE is a last line of defence and should be used together with safer systems and engineering controls.

Vehicles and plant used for skip deliveries and waste collection are subject to regular maintenance and safety checks. Drivers are trained in safe load restraint and in techniques to avoid overloading or hazardous stacking of waste. Our vehicle inspection regime and vehicle movement procedures are designed to reduce the risk of road incidents and onsite collisions.

Emergency procedures and first aid arrangements are in place for all operational locations. Staff are trained to respond to spills, fires, and other incidents that may arise during rubbish removal or skip hire operations. Clear reporting lines and communication protocols will ensure swift actions, and where necessary, liaison with emergency services.

Monitoring and review will be undertaken through regular audits, safety observations and performance metrics. The company will set measurable objectives to reduce incidents, improve training completion rates and ensure regulatory compliance. Findings from audits will be used to update the health and safety policy and operational procedures for the skip hire and rubbish clearance business.

Our policy is supported by specific procedures covering site assessments, traffic management for roadside skips, secure storage of bulky waste and the segregation of recyclables. There is a clear discipline policy that addresses non-compliance with safety requirements and a commitment to fair treatment and support to improve safety behaviour.

Key elements of the policy include:

• Duty of care — the company accepts responsibility for health and safety in all operational activities;
• Competence — staff receive appropriate training and supervision for rubbish removal and skip hire roles;
• Risk control — hazards are assessed and controlled using agreed procedures;
• Incident management — accidents and near misses are reported and investigated promptly;
• Continuous improvement — performance is monitored and the policy reviewed periodically.

All employees, contractors and sub-contractors engaged by the skip hire and rubbish company are required to read and comply with this policy. Managers must ensure that this policy is accessible, understood and acted upon. Implementation of the policy will be overseen by senior management and reviewed at regular intervals.

This Health and Safety policy provides the framework for safe skip hire and waste collection operations across our service area and forms part of our legal and moral commitment to protect people and the environment. The company remains dedicated to delivering a safe, reliable and responsible rubbish service while continuously improving safety performance.