Heston Skip Hire Health and Safety Policy

Heston Skip Hire maintains a clear and enforceable Health and Safety Policy that applies across our rubbish collection and skip hire operations. This policy outlines our commitment to safe waste handling, vehicle operations, and site practice throughout our service area. Our objective is to protect employees, sub-contractors, clients and the public by minimising risk and promoting a positive safety culture. All staff are required to understand and follow these obligations, and managers are accountable for implementation and compliance.

We aim to comply with all relevant statutory requirements, industry standards and recognised safe working practices for skip hire and rubbish removal services. Responsibilities are allocated at every level: the Board provides leadership and resources; managers conduct risk assessments and ensure training; and operatives follow safe systems of work. This document serves as the core policy to underpin site-specific procedures and method statements that may be used for particular jobs or unusual waste types.

Risk assessment and control are central to our approach. We carry out documented risk assessments for routine tasks such as loading and unloading skips, securing loads for transport, manual handling, and interaction with members of the public. Where hazardous or controlled wastes are involved, we apply specific controls, segregate materials and, where appropriate, use licensed waste carriers and disposal routes. Records of assessments, permits and disposal manifests are retained for inspection and continuous improvement.

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Supervisors must ensure that team members are competent for the work allocated, that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and used, and that vehicles and equipment are maintained in safe working order. We emphasise practical training in manual handling, securing loads, and site safety for skip hire operatives.

Competence is assured through induction, refresher courses and documented on-the-job training. Training records are maintained and reviewed regularly. We also require staff to report near misses and hazards immediately; these reports are investigated and used to update risk controls. Where external contractors are engaged, they must demonstrate equivalent standards and cooperation with our safety procedures before commencing work.

Personal protective equipment such as hi-vis clothing, gloves, safety boots and eye protection is mandatory when performing operational tasks. Equipment specifications are based on risk assessment outcomes and are provided free of charge to employees. Regular checks ensure PPE remains fit for purpose and is replaced when worn or damaged.

Safe operations in waste collection and skip positioning include site appraisal, traffic management, and protecting the public from exposure to hazards. Drivers and operatives must follow documented procedures for safe stopping, positioning of containers and securing wastes for transit. All vehicles are subject to routine maintenance and daily checks to ensure brakes, lights and restraint systems are effective.

Hazardous materials are controlled stringently. Staff are trained to recognise and segregate asbestos, chemical wastes, sharps and other hazardous items. Such materials are not placed in general skips and are managed according to statutory controls. Where disposal requires licensed facilities, weensure proper documentation and chain-of-custody procedures are followed to meet regulatory expectations.

Waste site housekeeping is critical; skips are not overloaded, lids are closed when practicable and spills are contained and cleaned promptly. Manual handling techniques are promoted to reduce musculoskeletal injuries, and mechanical aids are used where possible. Emergency procedures for incidents such as spills, collisions or medical emergencies are clearly documented and tested by exercises.

Monitoring, audit and continuous improvement are fundamental to the policy. We conduct routine site inspections, internal audits and performance reviews to verify compliance and identify opportunities for improvement. Incidents and accidents are investigated to determine root causes and corrective actions are implemented, recorded and followed up.

Key elements of our Health and Safety Policy include:

• Proactive risk management through assessment and control;
• Clear allocation of responsibilities and competence assurance;
• Maintenance of safe vehicles and equipment for rubbish removal and skip services;
• Appropriate handling and segregation of hazardous wastes;
• Active monitoring, incident investigation and continual improvement.

We review this policy at least annually or when significant changes occur to our operations or legal requirements. Senior management endorse this policy and commit to providing the resources necessary to maintain a safe working environment across our skip hire and rubbish collection services. Employees are asked to support the policy by following procedures, using PPE correctly and reporting hazards. Together, we build a safer workplace and deliver responsible waste services across our service area.