Health & Safety Policy — Business Waste Removal Honor Oak

Purpose: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of our commercial rubbish removal business to protect employees, contractors, customers and the public across our rubbish company service area. The policy applies to all operations related to business waste removal, commercial waste collection and transfer activities. Our objective is to prevent injury and ill health by integrating safe working methods, appropriate training, and robust operational controls into every aspect of waste handling and transport.

Our organisation recognises that a safe workplace supports efficient rubbish removal services and responsible waste management. Responsibilities are defined for senior management, supervisors and operatives: management must provide resources and oversight, supervisors must enforce safe systems, and operatives must follow procedures and report hazards. All personnel are required to familiarise themselves with this policy and to adopt best practice in manual handling, vehicle safety and waste segregation.

Scope: This policy covers planning and assessment for all rubbish collection routes, on-site waste removal tasks, skip loading, container handling and disposal chain activities. It includes non-hazardous and hazardous materials where our service provision requires specialist handling, and it spans vehicle operations, yard work, customer sites and temporary storage areas within our general service area for waste removal.

Risk Management and Controls

The business conducts regular risk assessments to identify hazards associated with commercial waste removal and to implement proportionate controls. Key control measures include safe systems of work for lifting and loading, defined traffic management for vehicles, segregation of waste types and use of designated containment to reduce spill and contamination risks. We apply the hierarchy of controls: eliminate where possible, substitute, engineer controls, administrative measures and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Training & Competence: All employees receive induction and role-specific training on safe rubbish removal practices, vehicle operation, use of lifting equipment and emergency response procedures. Refresher training and toolbox talks are provided periodically. Competence is assessed and documented to ensure staff are competent to carry out duties across our commercial waste collection activities.

Operational controls are supported by documented procedures. These include vehicle inspection checklists, permit-to-work for complex tasks, clear signage and communication protocols. We maintain records of risk assessments, training, equipment maintenance and incident reports to support continuous improvement of safety performance.

Safe Work Practices and Emergency Preparedness

Staff must always use appropriate PPE: high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where necessary. Manual handling is minimised through mechanical aids such as trolleys, tail lifts and skip loaders. Routine pre-shift checks of vehicles and lifting equipment are mandatory to ensure operational integrity during rubbish removal runs.

Hazardous Waste & Contamination: Where hazardous wastes are present, we apply specific containment and handling protocols and engage certified disposal routes. Our approach to hazardous materials centres on assessment, segregation, correct packaging and secure transport to authorised facilities. Spill response kits and containment measures are maintained and staff are trained in containment and reporting procedures.

Emergency Response & First Aid: Emergency plans detail actions for fires, chemical spills, serious injuries and vehicle incidents. First aid equipment and trained responders are available across operations, and emergency contacts and notification procedures are documented in site-specific instructions. Incidents are investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.

Vehicle and Driver Safety: Drivers and vehicle operators must comply with safe driving practices, load restraints and legal limits. Daily vehicle checks, secure loads and adherence to route risk assessments reduce the potential for incidents while carrying out rubbish removal services. Drivers report defects immediately and vehicles are serviced according to manufacturer recommendations.

The company commits to continuous improvement through planned audits, performance monitoring and consultation with staff. We promote a safety culture where reporting hazards and near misses is encouraged and acted upon. Policies are reviewed at regular intervals and updated to reflect changes in operations, technology or legislation relevant to waste handling and removal.

Key commitments:

• Maintain safe systems and provide adequate training for business waste removal teams.
• Ensure safe handling, segregation and transportation of commercial waste and recyclables.
• Provide and maintain suitable PPE and equipment for rubbish collection duties.
• Investigate incidents, implement corrective actions and share learning across the service area.

Management will ensure resources are available to meet the aims of this policy. All employees are expected to cooperate, follow instructions and support the implementation of safety measures that protect people and the environment during waste removal operations. This policy is part of our wider commitment to responsible rubbish removal services and effective health and safety governance.

Review and monitoring: The policy will be reviewed annually or following significant operational change, incident or legislative update. Performance metrics and audits will be used to monitor compliance and to drive improvements that reduce risk in our waste management and rubbish removal services.

This policy applies to everyone involved in our commercial waste operations and forms the foundation of our approach to maintaining a safe, healthy and compliant rubbish company service area.