Business Waste Removal Blackfriars — Health & Safety Policy

This Health & Safety Policy sets out the approach adopted by our business waste removal Blackfriars team to protect staff, contractors, clients and members of the public. It defines responsibilities, safe systems of work and the controls we use while delivering commercial waste removal and office rubbish collection services. The policy supports compliance with statutory duties and reflects recognised good practice for a rubbish company operating within an urban service area. It applies to all activities under our control including collection, transport, transfer and disposal of business refuse and recyclable materials.

Policy statement: We are committed to preventing injury and ill health, minimising environmental impact, and ensuring that all operations are planned and executed safely. Our objective is to maintain a workplace where hazards are identified and managed, where staff are trained and competent, and where incidents are reported and learned from. All employees, subcontractors and visitors must comply with the principles set out here. The policy is supported by management systems, routine risk assessments and documented procedures for the full range of waste removal services that we provide.

The core aims of this policy are to reduce risks associated with manual handling of commercial rubbish, operation of collection vehicles, interaction with customers on site, and handling of potentially hazardous items. We emphasise the importance of hierarchy of controls: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate and use personal protective equipment. Staff must challenge unsafe practices and stop work if a task cannot be done safely. The management will ensure adequate resources are available to implement controls and to provide necessary training and supervision for waste operatives and drivers.

Responsibilities and organisation

Senior management retain ultimate responsibility for health and safety. Operational managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation and monitoring. Individual employees have the right and the duty to work safely, report hazards, and use issued equipment correctly. Key responsibilities include:

• Managers: ensure risk assessments are current, allocate resources and maintain training records.
• Supervisors: implement safe systems, check vehicle maintenance and PPE, and oversee team briefings.
• Operatives: follow procedures for manual handling, segregation of waste, and use of tools and equipment.

We maintain clear lines of communication so that safety information flows between office staff, drivers, loaders and subcontractors. Everyone involved in commercial rubbish removal duties receives induction training and regular refreshers covering hazardous materials recognition, safe lifting techniques, traffic management at collection points, and the correct use of compactors, bins and sack tippers. Training records are retained to demonstrate competence and to support continuous improvement.

Risk assessments are carried out for routine and non-routine tasks, including bulky item lifts, skips and waste container exchanges, and work near public highways. Control measures are implemented where risks are identified; these can include mechanical aids, team lifts, exclusion zones, traffic cones and spotters. Vehicle safety checks and secure loading practices reduce the potential for shifting loads and spillage during transport. Permit-to-work arrangements are used where appropriate for higher risk operations.

Safe systems of work and operational controls

Our safe systems cover: pre-shift vehicle checks, route planning to minimise reversing and exposure to traffic, clear procedures for segregation of mixed streams, and measures to manage sharp or hazardous materials. Sharps, asbestos-contaminated items, solvents, and miscellaneous hazardous wastes are handled under strict protocols that include isolation, specialist containment and transfer to authorised facilities. We do not accept materials outside our licence or capability and will arrange for specialist disposal where needed.

Incident reporting and emergency response procedures are in place. All accidents, near misses and environmental releases must be reported immediately, investigated and recorded. First aid provision is maintained and operatives are briefed on emergency arrangements, including spill containment, notification of authorities where required and restoration of safe working conditions. Lessons learned are communicated across teams to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, audit and review ensure the policy remains effective. Regular site inspections, vehicle and equipment checks, performance metrics and periodic audits verify compliance with internal standards and regulatory expectations. We commit to continual improvement by updating procedures in response to new risks, operational changes or legislative developments. This statement represents our commitment to safe and responsible commercial waste removal, business rubbish clearance and waste collection activities. All personnel are expected to be familiar with and to actively support the policy to protect themselves, their colleagues and the communities we serve.