Commercial Waste Teddington: Health & Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of our rubbish company and commercial waste teams to maintain a safe working environment across all service areas. The purpose of this policy is to protect employees, contractors, visitors and the public from harm while delivering commercial waste services. Our rubbish removal operations and waste management activities will be planned, managed and monitored to reduce risks to as low as reasonably practicable.

This policy applies to all activities connected with commercial waste collections, on-site waste handling, vehicle operations and transfer procedures. We emphasise that every team member and contractor has a responsibility to follow safe systems of work, to report hazards and to co-operate with supervisors to maintain a safe workplace. Regular reviews and updates will ensure the policy remains practical and aligned with evolving best practice in waste management.

This document provides a clear framework of roles, responsibilities and procedures that underpin our approach to occupational safety in waste services. It outlines hazard identification, risk assessment methods, training, personal protective equipment and incident reporting procedures. Our commitment covers routine commercial waste collections, specialist waste handling and customer-site operations delivered by our rubbish company teams.

Responsibilities and Organisation

Senior management retains lead responsibility for ensuring resources and oversight are available to implement and enforce this policy. Managers and supervisors must ensure that safe working practices are communicated, that staff are competent and that equipment is maintained. Employees are required to follow instructions, use protective equipment and report hazards immediately.

Key responsibilities include:

• Carrying out and documenting risk assessments for all activities, including collections, loading and unloading, and vehicle maintenance.
• Providing suitable training and refresher sessions to ensure competence across our commercial waste services.
• Maintaining and inspecting plant, bins, lifting equipment and vehicles to safe standards.
• Implementing safe manual handling techniques and mechanical aids to reduce strain injuries.

Supervisors will ensure that site specific safety briefings are completed and that near-miss and incident data are reviewed to drive continuous improvement across the waste management service area.

Risk Assessment and Controls

Risk assessments are central to how our rubbish company operates. Assessments will identify hazards such as manual handling risks, vehicle movements, traffic management, hazardous substances and sharps in waste containers. Controls will be implemented proportionately and include engineering, administrative controls and PPE.

Operational controls typically include:

• Segregation of hazardous waste and clear labelling.
• Use of secure, labelled containers to reduce exposure to sharps and contaminants.
• Traffic management plans for customer sites and depot areas to manage risks from moving vehicles.
• Safe systems for bin lifting and compaction procedures, including exclusion zones during operation.

We maintain a documented schedule of inspections and audits to verify that controls remain effective and to identify opportunities for improvement in our commercial waste operations.

Training, Competence and PPE

All staff engaged in waste collection and management will receive induction training and role-specific instruction. Training covers safe driving, load security, manual handling, hazardous waste awareness and use of specialist equipment. Refresher training is provided at intervals or when operational changes occur.

Personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be eliminated. PPE includes high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for handling mixed waste, steel-toe footwear and respiratory protection where required. Employees must ensure PPE is maintained and report damaged items promptly.

Records of training and competency assessments are retained to ensure personnel are fit for duty and that our commercial waste service delivery meets required safety standards.

Incident Management and Emergency Procedures

Incidents, accidents and near-misses shall be reported without delay and investigated to identify root causes and preventive actions. A clear reporting route enables rapid corrective measures and informs risk assessments. We will maintain emergency plans for fire, vehicle incidents, spillage and chemical exposure.

Key incident controls include:

• Immediate first aid and medical support arrangements.
• Containment and cleaning procedures for spills or hazardous releases.
• Timely communication with emergency services where required.

Lessons learned from incidents and audits will be used to update procedures, training and risk controls so that service delivery by the rubbish company becomes progressively safer.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Performance indicators, regular audits and inspections will be used to monitor compliance with this policy. We will set measurable targets for incident reduction, training completion and equipment maintenance. Findings will be reported to management and used to drive continuous improvement in health and safety across our commercial waste operations.

Periodic policy reviews ensure the approach remains relevant to changing operational needs and emerging best practice. Employees and contractors are encouraged to contribute suggestions to improve safety and efficiency. Maintaining a strong safety culture supported by clear leadership and practical controls is central to our mission.

This policy represents a commitment to high standards of health, safety and welfare across all aspects of commercial waste and rubbish collection services. It will be communicated to all staff, displayed in depots and made available to relevant stakeholders.