Health and Safety Policy — Business Waste Removal Lewisham

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and procedures that govern safe operations for our rubbish company service area and commercial waste teams. It applies to all staff, contractors and site visitors involved in waste handling, transfer and disposal tasks. The policy reflects a commitment to comply with statutory duties and to maintain best practice in waste removal Lewisham operations while protecting people, property and the environment.

Scope: The statement covers business waste removal activities including collection, sorting, loading, transport and transfer of commercial and domestic-derived waste. Responsibilities described apply to management, supervisors and operatives across the rubbish removal Lewisham service network. All employees must familiarise themselves with the controls, safe systems and reporting lines established by this policy.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Our organisation recognises the legal framework that governs waste management and occupational safety. We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation, environmental regulations and the waste duty of care requirements. Management will ensure risk assessments and method statements are maintained and that permits or licences required for certain waste types are secured and documented.

The Director and senior management hold ultimate responsibility for health and safety policy implementation, resource allocation and continuous improvement. Day-to-day responsibility is delegated to operational managers who must ensure team-level adherence to safe working procedures. Supervisors will monitor operational compliance, deliver toolbox talks and ensure adequate training for manual handling, segregation and hazardous materials awareness.

Employee Duties: All employees and contractors are required to follow instructions, use assigned Personal Protective Equipment, complete inductions and report unsafe conditions. Operatives must maintain awareness of traffic risks during kerbside collections, secure loads correctly, and observe vehicle safety checks prior to departure. Failure to follow safety procedures may lead to disciplinary action.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures: Systematic risk assessments identify hazards such as manual handling strains, slips and trips, sharps and biohazards, hazardous substances and vehicle movements. Control measures include engineering controls, safe working procedures, PPE, mechanical aids and clear segregation of waste streams to reduce exposure. The policy emphasises a hierarchy of controls with elimination and substitution ahead of personal protective measures.

Training and Competence: Training programs cover safe lifting techniques, hazardous waste handling, vehicle safety, emergency procedures and the company’s incident reporting process. Competency checks will be recorded and refresher training scheduled. Supervisors shall maintain training records and ensure that new recruits receive a site-specific induction.

Personal Protective Equipment is provided and maintained. Typical PPE includes gloves, hi-vis clothing, protective footwear and eye protection where required. Operatives are instructed on the correct selection, use and disposal of PPE to support safe rubbish collection and transfer in the rubbish company service area.

• Control List: Regular vehicle checks and maintenance to ensure brake, lighting and load security systems are effective.
• Segregation procedures for recyclable, non-recyclable and hazardous wastes to minimise cross-contamination and environmental risk.
• Clear communication channels and use of banksman where visibility is restricted during vehicle manoeuvres.

Incident Reporting and Investigation: All incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly through the internal reporting system. Investigations will identify root causes and recommend corrective actions. Lessons learned will be disseminated across teams to prevent recurrence and to strengthen the integrity of waste removal Lewisham operations.

Hazardous Waste and Spill Response: Special handling protocols apply to hazardous materials, including secure containment, segregation and transfer to authorised facilities. Spill kits are supplied to collection crews, and staff are trained to contain, report and clean up minor spills. Major incidents are escalated to senior management and relevant authorities as required by regulation.

Monitoring, Audit and Review: Management will conduct regular audits and spot checks to verify compliance with this policy. Performance indicators include incident rates, training completion, vehicle inspection records and waste traceability documentation. The policy will be reviewed annually or after significant change, incident, or a change in regulation that affects the rubbish removal provision in our service area.