Health and Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Camberley

Purpose and scope: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the responsibilities, arrangements and standards that govern the safe delivery of commercial waste and rubbish removal services across our service area. It applies to all staff, contractors and visitors involved in commercial waste collection, transfer, and disposal operations. The aim is to protect people, property and the environment by reducing risk and ensuring consistent compliance with statutory health and safety obligations. The policy is relevant to all commercial refuse and skip services, office and industrial waste management, and associated transport activities.

Responsibilities and leadership

Management commitment — Senior management have overall responsibility for ensuring effective health and safety for commercial waste operations. Managers will provide the necessary resources, training and supervision to ensure that tasks such as bulky rubbish collection, recycling segregation, and hazardous waste handling are performed safely. Team leaders and supervisors are accountable for day-to-day enforcement of safe working practices and for maintaining accurate records of incidents, near misses and risk assessments.

Worker duties

All employees and operatives must take reasonable care for their own safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes using provided personal protective equipment (PPE), following safe systems of work, reporting hazards promptly, and cooperating in safety training. Subcontractors engaged for commercial rubbish collection or waste haulage must demonstrate competence and adherence to this policy before commencing work.

Risk assessment and control measures — We conduct documented risk assessments for routine and non-routine tasks such as container loading, compacting, manual handling of bags and bulky items, and vehicle operations. Control measures include:

• Safe vehicle procedures: Vehicle checks before use, secure loading protocols, and defined route planning to minimise manual lifting.
• PPE and hygiene: Provision of gloves, high-visibility clothing, protective boots and eye protection, plus handwashing facilities and measures to prevent cross-contamination.
• Mechanical aids: Use of trolleys, lifting equipment and tail lifts where appropriate to reduce manual handling injuries.

Operational controls — For collections of commercial rubbish and skip services, strict segregation of waste streams is implemented to reduce hazardous exposure. Chemical, electrical and sharp waste are identified and handled under separate procedures. Confined space entry, working at height and hot work activities are subject to specific permits and supervision. Regular inspections of depots, collection points and equipment are carried out to ensure ongoing compliance and to identify improvements.

Training, competence and communication

Training programmes are provided for all team members, covering manual handling, vehicle safety, hazardous waste awareness, spill response and fire safety relevant to commercial rubbish removal services. Induction training for new starters and refresher courses are mandatory. Toolbox talks, safety briefings and documented competency checks are used to maintain high standards. Records of training, qualifications and licences for drivers and operatives are maintained.

Emergency planning and incident management

The company maintains clear procedures for reporting incidents, near misses and accidents. Emergency response plans address fuel or chemical spills, vehicle collisions, fires at waste transfer sites and medical emergencies. First aid provision is available at operational hubs, and key personnel are trained in spill control and incident containment. Incident investigations are conducted to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement — Health and safety performance is monitored through audits, inspections and performance indicators such as accident frequency, near-miss reports and compliance checks. Policies and procedures are reviewed at regular intervals and following significant incidents, changes in legislation, or operational changes in the rubbish collection and waste management processes. Feedback from staff is encouraged to improve operational safety and efficiency.

Contractor management and procurement

Contractors engaged to support commercial rubbish services must meet our health and safety standards. Pre-qualification involves assessment of their safety policies, competence, insurance and past performance. Contract terms require compliance with control measures, incident reporting and participation in joint risk assessments for complex or hazardous waste tasks.

Legal compliance and standards — The policy supports adherence to applicable health and safety law and industry standards governing commercial waste removal, transfer and disposal operations. The organisation commits to maintaining permits, licences and environmental controls necessary for business operations. While this document does not substitute legal advice, it provides a structured approach to legal compliance and duty of care within the commercial waste sector.

Closing statement — The health and safety of employees, contractors and the public is a core value. Through clear leadership, practical controls, robust training and continual review, we aim to deliver reliable and safe commercial waste and rubbish collection services. Every person engaged with our operations shares responsibility for creating and sustaining a safe working environment.