Addiscombe Skip Hire Health & Safety Policy
Addiscombe Skip Hire is committed to providing a safe working environment for all employees, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our skip hire and rubbish removal operations. This policy outlines our approach to risk control across the rubbish company service area, emphasising safe systems of work, competent personnel and continual improvement.Policy Statement and Scope
Our aim is to minimise occupational risk while delivering reliable skip hire services and waste collection solutions. We will manage hazards associated with loading, transportation and disposal of waste, ensuring that every task is carried out with due regard to safety. Management will allocate the necessary resources to maintain effective safety standards and all staff have a duty to cooperate with this policy.
The policy applies to all activities under our control including skip delivery and collection, manual handling of refuse, vehicle operation, site access and customer premises work. We recognise that rubbish removal and waste handling present variable risks and will apply appropriate controls to address those risks. Procedures will be reviewed regularly and adapted to operational changes and lessons learned.
Responsibilities and Roles
Senior management will set the standard and be accountable for health and safety performance. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safe working practices are followed on the ground and that risk assessments are completed for each task. Employees must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for others who may be affected by their actions during waste removal operations.All staff involved in refuse collection, skip loading and driving will receive training appropriate to their duties, including manual handling, traffic awareness and safe use of lifting equipment. Regular toolbox talks will reinforce safe behavior and provide updates on procedural changes. Competence is central to our policy and is maintained through ongoing assessment.
Risk assessments will be carried out for routine and non-routine activities. Controls will include safe positioning of skips, exclusion zones during loading, use of signage and personal protective equipment (PPE). Where hazardous materials are encountered, operations will stop and specialist handling procedures followed to prevent harm and environmental damage.
Vehicle safety forms a key element of our approach. All fleet vehicles are subject to scheduled maintenance and pre-shift checks. Drivers must adhere to safe driving standards, load security rules and legal weight limits. Loading and unloading will be supervised, and staff will use mechanical aids where practical to reduce manual handling risks.
We maintain clear procedures for segregation of waste streams to limit cross-contamination and exposure to hazardous substances. The rubbish company service area will be kept tidy to prevent slips, trips and falls. Where customers present unique site hazards, staff will confirm arrangements and adjust procedures before work begins.
Emergency preparedness includes defined reporting channels, first aid provision and incident response plans. Any accident, near miss or safety concern must be reported immediately so that remedial action can be taken and future occurrences prevented. Records of incidents are reviewed to support continuous improvement.
Health surveillance and well-being are considered where roles involve frequent heavy lifting, exposure to dust, fumes or prolonged driving. We will provide appropriate health monitoring where indicated and encourage reporting of any health issues related to work activities.
Contractors and temporary workers are required to comply with our safety expectations. Before engagement, we will confirm that external personnel have suitable training, insurance and safe systems of work in place. Cooperation and clear communication help to maintain standards across the wider waste removal supply chain.
Monitoring, audit and review ensure this policy remains effective. Performance indicators such as incident rates, training completion and vehicle checks are tracked and reported. The policy will be reviewed annually or sooner following significant change, an incident or new legislation that impacts rubbish collection and skip hire operations.
We encourage a positive safety culture where staff proactively identify hazards and suggest improvements. Leadership will support initiatives that reduce risk and enhance welfare. All personnel are empowered to stop unsafe work and seek guidance when uncertain about the correct procedures for handling waste materials.
Key elements of our control measures include:
- Pre-task risk assessments and documented safe systems of work
- Appropriate PPE and instruction in its correct use
- Regular vehicle maintenance and driver competence checks
- Clear segregation of waste types and safe handling of hazardous items
- Emergency procedures, first aid and incident reporting
By following this policy, Addiscombe Skip Hire commits to reducing harm, protecting the environment and providing dependable skip hire and rubbish removal services across our service area. The responsibility for a safe workplace is shared, and we will continue to improve through consultation, training and robust operating standards.