Health and Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Carshalton

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments of Commercial Waste Carshalton to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public when delivering commercial waste and rubbish collection services. It outlines responsibilities, risk control measures and monitoring arrangements that govern our operations across the rubbish company service area and associated waste removal activities. The policy reflects a proactive approach to preventing harm, reducing incidents and ensuring compliance with applicable health and safety obligations while avoiding detailed local legal exposition.

Policy statement: We are committed to providing a safe working environment for staff involved in waste collection, transfer, recycling and disposal. Our aim is to maintain high standards for the handling of commercial waste, to minimise harm from manual handling, hazardous materials and vehicle movements, and to ensure that commercial rubbish services are delivered without compromising health and safety.

The scope of this policy covers all activities related to our commercial waste operations, including but not limited to: site visits, container handling, scheduled rubbish collection, temporary skip services, and transfer loading. It applies to permanent employees, temporary workers, contractors, visitors and anyone affected by our work. The policy is to be reviewed periodically and updated in response to operational changes, incident findings, or changes in relevant standards.

Responsibilities and organisational arrangements

Everyone has a part to play in health and safety. Management will provide resources, training and oversight to implement safe systems of work. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure staff comply with safe procedures during every stage of waste handling and transport. Employees are expected to follow instructions, report hazards and incidents promptly, and use issued safety equipment correctly. In the context of our rubbish collection Carshalton operations, clear lines of accountability support consistent service delivery and risk reduction.

Key responsibilities include:

• Senior Management: establish policy, allocate resources and review performance;
• Supervisors: implement procedures, conduct toolbox talks and monitor compliance;
• Operatives: follow procedures, report defects and wear PPE as required;
• Contractors: coordinate with our teams and meet agreed safety standards.

We emphasise a culture of shared responsibility where safety concerns are raised without fear of repercussion and where continuous improvement is encouraged through regular feedback and risk review processes.

Risk assessment and control measures

Risk assessments are central to our approach. Each activity — from bin lift operations to site sorting and vehicle loading — is assessed for hazards such as manual handling, slips, trips and falls, exposure to sharps or hazardous substances, vehicle collision and fire risk. Controls are implemented following the hierarchy of risk control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Specific control measures include:

• Safe systems of work for loading, lifting and securing waste loads;
• Mandatory PPE such as high-visibility garments, gloves, protective footwear and eye protection where appropriate;
• Vehicle safety measures including daily checks, securement of loads and safe reversing protocols;
• Segregation practices for hazardous waste streams and clear labelling to reduce accidental exposure;
• Emergency procedures and readily available spill and first-aid kits.

These measures apply to all commercial rubbish services we provide and are reviewed following incidents, near misses or when introducing new equipment or routes.

Training and competence are vital. We provide planned induction and refresher training that covers safe handling of commercial waste, use of mechanical aids, hazardous materials awareness, manual handling techniques and vehicle safety. Records of training and qualifications are maintained to ensure crew competence for the range of services offered across our waste removal service area.

Monitoring and performance: Safety performance is monitored through routine inspections, audits, incident reporting and corrective action tracking. Key performance indicators include near-miss reporting rates, incident frequency, completion of risk assessments and the status of safety-critical maintenance for vehicles and lifting equipment. Strong incident investigation practices ensure lessons are captured and controls improved.

In addition to formal monitoring, we promote active engagement through toolbox talks, safety briefings and scheduled meetings. This encourages operational teams to be part of safety decision-making and supports continuous improvement of our commercial waste processes.

Legal compliance and review: Our policy commits to meet relevant health and safety duties applicable to waste management operations. While this document does not list specific statutes, we maintain systems to track applicable requirements, review changes and act to ensure compliance. Regular policy review cycles and management oversight deliver currency and relevance.

Accident prevention and emergency preparedness are embedded in our operations. We maintain accessible emergency response plans, clear communication channels, and arrangements for first aid and fire response. Simulated drills and post-incident reviews test effectiveness and readiness for actual events.

Policy adoption: This Health and Safety Policy is endorsed by senior management and applies across the organisation. It is communicated to employees and made available to contractors and relevant stakeholders. The policy is supported by operational procedures, safe work instructions and documented risk assessments that together shape safe delivery of commercial waste, waste removal and rubbish collection services.

Continuous improvement: We will continue to invest in safer equipment, training and systems, applying lessons learned and adopting best practice to reduce harm. Our objective is a consistent, safe and efficient service across the rubbish company service area, balancing operational needs with the health and safety of our people and the communities we work in.