Health and Safety Policy — Business Waste Removal Islington

This policy sets out the commitment of our commercial waste team to provide safe, reliable and compliant rubbish removal and business waste collection services. The primary aim is to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public by reducing hazards associated with waste handling, transfer and disposal. This document applies to all operational activities carried out by the rubbish company service area and the teams engaged in commercial rubbish removal across our service area.

Scope and Objectives

Our objectives are to maintain a robust safety culture, ensure legal compliance and minimise risk during every stage of the commercial waste collection lifecycle. We will: assess risks, implement control measures, provide training and ensure all plant and vehicles are maintained to the highest safety standards. The policy covers office-based staff, drivers, loaders and subcontractors involved in business waste removal and associated support functions.

Responsibilities and Accountability

Senior management retain ultimate responsibility for safety and will appoint competent supervisors for operational oversight. Employees must follow safe systems of work and report hazards promptly. We will ensure documented roles and responsibilities are evident, with regular audits and a clear chain of accountability for every commercial waste collection contract. Line managers will monitor compliance, and the safety team will coordinate incident investigations and corrective actions.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Prior to any business waste removal activity, a site-specific risk assessment will be completed and recorded. Controls will be implemented using the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. For hazardous or unknown substances discovered during rubbish removal operations, work will stop and the substance will be assessed by a competent person. Where necessary, specialist hazardous waste contractors will be used to ensure legal and safe disposal.

Manual handling is a frequent risk in commercial waste services. We will use mechanical aids where possible, provide manual handling training and enforce safe lifting techniques. Traffic management procedures will be applied to reduce vehicle-pedestrian interactions during loading and unloading at commercial premises and transfer stations. All waste vehicle operators will follow vehicle safety checks and load securement procedures to prevent spillage and injury.

Personal protective equipment is mandatory where risk assessments indicate a need. Standard issue items include gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots and eye protection. Respiratory protection will be provided for activities with airborne contaminants. PPE will be maintained, replaced when necessary and used in conjunction with other controls. Employees will be trained in proper PPE selection and use.

Hazardous Waste, Chemical and Sharps Handling

Special procedures apply to hazardous materials, asbestos-containing items, solvents and sharps. Business waste removal teams will follow isolation and containment protocols if hazardous items are encountered. Our policy emphasises early identification and segregation of hazardous waste to prevent cross-contamination and reduce environmental risk. All hazardous transfers will be accompanied by appropriate documentation in line with regulatory requirements for commercial waste collection.

Training, Competence and Communication

Training programmes ensure staff competence in safe waste handling, vehicle operation and emergency response. Induction, refresher and task-specific training will be recorded and monitored. Communication channels will be clear and include toolbox talks, written procedures and digital records. We encourage a positive safety culture where near misses and hazards are reported without blame, enabling continuous improvement across our rubbish removal operations.

Incident Management, Monitoring and Review

Incidents will be investigated promptly to identify root causes and corrective actions. We will maintain records of accidents, near misses and health surveillance where appropriate. Regular audits and performance reviews will measure compliance with this policy, and risk assessments will be updated following changes to processes, equipment or legislation. The policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if organizational changes, incidents or new legislation require an update.

Commitment and Continuous Improvement

Our organisation is committed to the highest standards in commercial waste collection and business waste removal operations. We will continue to invest in staff training, modern equipment and systems that enhance safety and environmental performance. Key performance expectations include:

• Zero harm ambition through effective hazard control and safe work practices.
• Compliance with applicable waste management and occupational safety regulations.
• Continuous improvement via monitoring, audits and stakeholder engagement.

All employees and contractors are required to co-operate with this policy. By embedding a culture of safety and adherence to proven procedures, our rubbish removal teams will deliver reliable, compliant and safe business waste services across the service area. Signed on behalf of management, the policy demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting health, safety and the environment while providing efficient commercial waste solutions.