Health and Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Plumstead

Commercial Waste Plumstead is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors and the public while delivering rubbish removal and waste management services. This policy sets out obligations, responsibilities and control measures applicable to our commercial rubbish services and related operations. The company will make all reasonable efforts to reduce risks associated with waste collection, transportation and disposal, and to ensure legal compliance with applicable health and safety requirements.

Scope and Objectives

This policy applies to all staff, temporary workers and contractors engaged in commercial waste services across our service area. Our objectives include minimising workplace accidents, preventing work-related ill health, and managing risks from manual handling, vehicle movements, sharps, hazardous materials and site-specific hazards. The aim is to provide a safe environment during every stage of a commercial rubbish collection, from customer premises to transfer and final disposal.

Roles, Responsibilities and Accountability

Senior management retain overall accountability for health and safety performance. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing control measures, supervising safe systems of work and ensuring compliance with the commercial waste operating procedures. Employees must follow instructions, wear issued PPE and report defects or hazards immediately. Contractors engaged for specialist waste, recycling or vehicle maintenance must provide evidence of competency and follow site-specific arrangements.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Risk assessments will be conducted for routine and non-routine tasks including loading, lifting, vehicle access, working at height on collection vehicles and handling of hazardous or unknown materials. Control measures include safe systems of work, vehicle maintenance schedules, segregation of waste streams and use of mechanical aids where practicable to reduce manual handling risks. The company will apply the hierarchy of control when managing hazards: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.

Training, Competency and Personal Protective Equipment

Adequate training and instruction will be provided to all staff involved in waste handling and green waste, commercial refuse or bulky waste collections. Training covers safe lifting, spill response, sharps awareness, hazardous waste recognition and vehicle safety. Employees will be issued with suitable PPE including gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots and eye protection as necessary. Training records and refresher sessions will be maintained to demonstrate ongoing competency.

Operational Controls and Waste Handling

The company operates strict segregation protocols for recyclable, hazardous and non-recyclable materials to prevent cross-contamination and reduce exposure. Waste containers will be properly labelled and secured, and drivers will follow safe loading limits and traffic safety practices. For commercial waste collection, the following standard controls apply:

• Pre-operational vehicle checks and daily walkaround inspections.
• Use of approved lifting and restraint equipment to secure loads.
• Immediate isolation and reporting of hazardous or unknown items for specialist handling.

Incident Reporting, Investigation and Monitoring

All accidents, incidents and near-misses must be reported promptly through established channels so that corrective actions can be taken. Investigations will seek root causes and contribute to continuous improvement in our commercial refuse operations. Performance indicators such as accident frequency, vehicle incidents and safety observations will be monitored and reviewed by management to ensure the effectiveness of the health and safety system.

Compliance, Contractor Management and Legal Obligations

The business will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry guidance applicable to waste collection and disposal. Contractors and sub-contractors must demonstrate compliance, hold appropriate licences for specialist waste streams and provide evidence of insurance and training. Subcontractor performance will be assessed and managed through pre-qualification checks and periodic audits. The company retains the right to suspend operations with any provider who does not meet health and safety standards.

Review, Communication and Continuous Improvement

This policy will be reviewed at planned intervals, or following significant incidents, operational changes or regulatory updates. It will be communicated to all employees and made available to relevant stakeholders involved in commercial waste operations. Management will encourage a proactive safety culture through regular toolbox talks, safety briefings and engagement activities aimed at reducing harm during rubbish collection and disposal. The company is committed to continuous improvement of safety performance and to protecting the health of its workforce and the wider community.