Health & Safety Policy — Business Waste Removal Southwark

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles, organisational arrangements and responsibilities that govern safe operations for a business waste removal service operating in and around Southwark. It applies to all commercial rubbish removal and waste clearance activities carried out by the company and to any contractors or temporary staff engaged in these operations. The aim is to protect employees, clients, visitors and the public while ensuring compliant commercial waste services.

The policy covers routine tasks such as rubbish collection Southwark, commercial waste removal, depot handling and vehicle-based activities. Management will ensure adequate resources, training and equipment are made available so that work is carried out safely and in accordance with current legislation and good practice. All staff must familiarise themselves with the policy and act with care and competence when performing business rubbish removal tasks.

Scope includes but is not limited to waste segregation, hazardous waste handling, container loading and unloading, manual handling during commercial rubbish collection in business premises, on-site vehicle manoeuvring and waste storage. The company maintains a commitment to continual improvement in health and safety performance and expects the same standard from sub-contractors engaged for specialised waste disposal or skip services.

Responsibilities and Duties

Senior management holds overall accountability for health and safety and will ensure that the policy is reviewed periodically. Line managers are responsible for day-to-day implementation, risk assessments and ensuring staff are competent for roles such as business waste removal Southwark operations. Individual employees have a duty to take reasonable care of themselves and others and to report hazards, incidents or near-misses promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Comprehensive risk assessments will be conducted for all tasks and locations where waste services are provided. Identified controls will be documented, implemented and reviewed. Safe systems of work will address: correct use of mechanical lifting aids, secure loading procedures, traffic management around collection points, and safe segregation of recyclable and hazardous materials. Where specialist disposal is required, the company will engage licensed handlers.

Training is mandatory for operational staff and will include manual handling, use of PPE, safe driving for waste collection vehicles, spill response and basic hazardous waste awareness. The company will maintain records of training, qualifications and competency checks to support a robust commercial rubbish clearance service.

Emergency procedures, incident reporting and first aid provisions are integral to this policy. All incidents and near-misses must be recorded, investigated and corrective actions implemented. Emergency plans include spill containment, fire response at depots and immediate medical assistance where required. The company will cooperate with enforcing authorities in the event of a serious incident.

To maintain high standards the company will undertake routine inspections, vehicle checks and audits. Monitoring and review processes will evaluate performance against legal requirements and internal targets. Non-conformances will be addressed through corrective action and, where relevant, disciplinary or remedial measures. The health and safety policy is a living document, updated when operational changes or legislative updates occur.

Specific control measures include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): mandatory use of appropriate gloves, hi-vis clothing, protective footwear and eye protection for collection crews.
• Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance: scheduled checks, daily walk-round inspections and maintenance records for all trucks and lifting gear.
• Segregation and Labelling: clear procedures for identifying and separating hazardous waste, electrical goods and recyclable materials during commercial waste removal operations.
• Manual Handling Controls: use of mechanical aids, team-lift procedures and load limits to reduce musculoskeletal injuries during rubbish collection.