Health & Safety Policy — Skip Hire Lee

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Skip Hire Lee and associated teams to maintain a safe working environment for staff, contractors, and the public. It applies to all operations related to skip hire, waste collection and rubbish removal services across our service area. The policy emphasises risk control, safe systems of work and continuous improvement in health and safety performance.

Scope: The policy covers activities including skip placement and collection, transfer of waste, vehicle operations, loading and unloading procedures, and site-based rubbish clearance. It applies to every employee, temporary worker and subcontractor engaged by the skip hire company and to any visitors or members of the public affected by our work.

Responsibilities

Managers are responsible for implementing this policy through clear leadership, allocation of resources and regular review. Frontline crews and drivers must follow safe working procedures and report hazards promptly. The skip hire service in Lee (and related teams) will ensure competent supervision and that staff receive appropriate training and protective equipment.

Risk Assessment and Controls

Risk assessments will be documented for all routine and non-routine tasks. Identified risks such as manual handling, vehicle movement, traffic interaction, hazardous waste, and unstable loads must be controlled by elimination, substitution, engineering measures, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Control measures will be reviewed after incidents or significant changes to operations.

Safe Working Practices: Crews must follow standard operating procedures for skip placement, ensuring stable ground, legal roadside positioning and the use of traffic management where required. All loading must avoid overfilling and ensure that rubbish is contained to prevent spillage during transit. Vehicle checks, load security and compliance with weight limits will be mandatory before departure.

Training and Competence: All staff receive induction safety training and job-specific instruction. Competence is maintained through refresher training, toolbox talks and on-the-job coaching. Drivers operating skip lorries and plant operators will hold the necessary licences and certifications and be trained in safe vehicle operation and incident response.

Accident Reporting and Investigation All accidents, near misses and safety concerns must be reported immediately. An investigation will determine root causes and corrective actions. Where appropriate, lessons learned will be communicated across the organisation to prevent recurrence. The rubbish removal teams will maintain an incident log and use it to guide improvements.

Emergency Response: Procedures cover first aid, fire, hazardous spill response and traffic incidents. Staff must be familiar with emergency contacts and evacuation arrangements at all sites where they work. First aid kits and spill control materials will be carried in vehicles and available at yard locations.

Health & Welfare The skip hire company is committed to protecting worker health by controlling exposure to dust, fumes and biological hazards from waste. PPE such as gloves, eye protection and respiratory masks will be provided as required. Provision is made for rest breaks, sanitation, and support for mental health where needed.

Plant, Vehicles and Equipment Equipment used by the skip hire company, including lorries, cranes, plant and hand tools, will be maintained in a safe condition and inspected according to schedules. Drivers must complete pre-use checks and report defects. Only authorised personnel may operate specialised machinery.

Contractor Management: Subcontractors engaged for specialised waste handling or site clearance will be assessed for competence and adherence to this health and safety policy. Contracts will require compliance with our safety standards and clear communication about shared site risks. Regular audits will monitor ongoing contractor performance.

Monitoring and Review The effectiveness of this policy will be monitored through inspections, audits and performance metrics such as incident frequency, training completion and corrective action closure rates. The policy will be reviewed at least annually or when there are changes to operations, legislation or after significant incidents.

Continuous Improvement: The skip hire company is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. Action plans derived from monitoring and staff suggestions will be prioritised and tracked. Employees are encouraged to proactively identify hazards and contribute to safer ways of working across rubbish collection and skip hire activities.

Key Commitments include:

• Providing a safe workplace and safe systems of work;
• Ensuring all staff are competent and trained;
• Maintaining equipment to safe standards;
• Reporting, investigating and learning from incidents;
• Engaging with workers on health and safety matters.

Conclusion: This Health & Safety policy represents the formal commitment of Skip Hire Lee to protect people, property and the environment while providing skip hire, waste collection and rubbish removal services. All personnel are expected to understand their roles, follow procedures and contribute to a culture of safety.