Health & Safety Policy — Erith Skip Hire and Waste Services

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the standards and procedures that govern safe operations for Erith Skip Hire, its drivers, operatives and contractors engaged in skip hire, waste collection and rubbish removal. The aim is to protect people, the environment and property by managing risks associated with skip loading, transport and waste handling. This document outlines responsibilities, safe systems of work and continual improvement processes applicable across the service area.

Scope and Commitment

Scope: This policy covers all on-site and off-site activities including skip delivery and collection, vehicle operation and waste segregation. It applies to employees, subcontractors and any persons whose activities are controlled by the company. The organisation commits to complying with relevant health and safety principles, maintaining safe plant and equipment and ensuring that staff are trained and competent to perform tasks safely.

Responsibilities

Management will provide leadership, resources and oversight. Supervisors will ensure operational safety, while all operatives must follow instructions and report hazards. Key duties include risk assessment, incident reporting and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). The skip hire operator and drivers must adhere to route risk plans, load and secure skips correctly and maintain vehicle safety checks to prevent spillage or harm during transit.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures — Risk assessments will be carried out for routine and non-routine tasks. Controls will follow the hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures and PPE. Typical issues considered are manual handling when loading rubbish into skips, encounter with hazardous materials, traffic management around sites and mechanical hazards from compacting equipment. Where possible, mechanical aids will be used to reduce manual handling and lifting.

Safe Systems of Work — Written procedures will cover skip placement, loading limits, segregation of hazardous waste, hot works and confined spaces where relevant. Drivers must not enter confined skips or unsafe sites without permit-to-work and supervision. Communication, use of high-visibility clothing, wheel-chocks, cones and signage form part of the safe system to protect operatives and third parties during deliveries and collections in public spaces.

Training and Competence — Employees will receive induction training, task-specific instruction and periodic refresher courses. Training covers manual handling, COSHH awareness (where applicable), vehicle safe operation, and incident reporting procedures. Competence is assessed and recorded; contractors are required to evidence competence in line with company standards. Safety briefings will be provided for complex or unusual jobs.

Vehicle and Equipment Safety

Vehicles and plant used by the skip hire company must be subject to pre-use checks, scheduled maintenance and defect reporting. Load securing procedures are mandatory to prevent shifting during transit; drivers must ensure that skip covers or tarpaulins are applied where required. Emergency equipment, including spill kits and basic first aid supplies, must be carried on vehicles and made available at operational depots.

Handling Hazardous Materials

The company does not accept uncontrolled hazardous waste. When hazardous or potentially hazardous items are encountered at a site, operatives will isolate the material, report the issue and follow disposal protocols. Examples of prohibited or controlled items include asbestos, certain chemicals and pressurised cylinders. Clear labelling and segregation at source reduce the risk of contamination and exposure during collection.

Monitoring, Reporting and Review — Incidents, near-misses and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly. Investigations identify root causes and corrective actions, which are recorded and tracked. Management will review health and safety performance regularly, adjusting policies and procedures to reflect operational learning and regulatory standards. A culture of continuous improvement is encouraged, with regular audits and stakeholder engagement to maintain high safety standards.

Emergency Preparedness — Clear emergency procedures will be established for spills, fires, medical emergencies and transport incidents. Operatives are trained in emergency response steps and contact chains. Evacuation routes, assembly points and communication protocols are maintained at depots and provided to staff who attend sites with skip hire operations.

Health and Wellbeing — The company recognises that employee wellbeing affects safety performance. Measures include appropriate break schedules to mitigate fatigue, access to welfare facilities and procedures to manage work-related stress. Occupational health support will be facilitated where necessary to ensure operatives can work safely and sustainably.

Policy Review and Updates — This health and safety policy is a living document and will be reviewed annually or after significant incidents, operational changes or legislative updates. Documented reviews ensure that the skip hire business continues to meet best practice for waste management and rubbish collection services in its service area. All staff will be informed of changes and required to comply with updated procedures.