Health and Safety Policy — Tottenham Skip Hire

Introduction: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments of Tottenham Skip Hire to protect employees, contractors, customers and members of the public in the delivery of skip hire and rubbish removal services. The policy reflects our approach to safe waste handling, skip placement, vehicle operation and site risk control. It is intended to complement statutory obligations and good practice in waste management without restating local legal text in detail.

Scope and purpose

The policy applies to all activities associated with skip hire services, including skip delivery and collection, on-site permitting, waste segregation, and transfer to licensed facilities. It covers permanent staff, temporary operatives, drivers and third-party contractors engaged by the skip hire company. Our aim is to reduce harm through clear responsibilities, safe systems of work and ongoing oversight of rubbish collection operations.

Policy statement

We commit to: preventing injury, reducing occupational health risks and minimising environmental impact during waste removal and skip hire operations. All employees must follow the safe working methods, wear required personal protective equipment and report hazards or near misses. Senior management will provide the resources necessary to implement and review this policy.

Responsibilities: The board and senior management hold ultimate accountability for health and safety. Operational managers are responsible for day-to-day enforcement of safe systems and ensuring drivers and site staff are competent. Employees and subcontractors must take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others and co-operate with safe working arrangements. Supervisors must conduct routine checks and ensure that high-risk tasks are adequately controlled.

Risk assessment and control measures Risk assessments are conducted for all typical activities: loading and unloading skips, manoeuvring vehicles, manual handling of heavy or awkward items, working at the roadside, and handling hazardous or unknown waste. Controls include mechanical aids, exclusion zones, traffic management, edge protection, waste classification and safe segregation procedures to prevent cross-contamination.

Safe systems of work

Written procedures cover skip positioning, site setup, lifting operations and vehicle carriage. For public highways and shared spaces we adopt traffic management plans and use qualified banksmen where required. For each job the operative must confirm that the site is safe and that the skip is suitable for the intended waste type before loading. Use of forklifts, cranes and tail lifts follows manufacturer instructions and operator certification.

Training and competence: We maintain a structured training programme that addresses manual handling, hazardous substances awareness, confined spaces where applicable, vehicle safety and customer site etiquette. Records of training and licences are kept current and reviewed at defined intervals. Induction for new staff includes a safety briefing and shadowing of experienced operatives to ensure practical competence before independent work.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) PPE is supplied free of charge where hazards cannot be eliminated. Mandatory items include high-visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves and eye protection; additional items such as respiratory protection are used when handling dusty or contaminated loads. The company enforces PPE use and provides guidance on selection, storage and replacement.

Accident, incident and near-miss reporting: All incidents involving injury, environmental release or significant near misses must be reported immediately to line management and recorded. Investigations identify root causes and corrective actions, with findings communicated to staff to prevent recurrence. We maintain a no-blame reporting culture to encourage open reporting and continuous improvement.

Emergency procedures and first aid

Emergency plans address vehicle collisions, fuel spillage, fires and first aid requirements. Operatives carry emergency contact information and basic spill kits where applicable. Designated first-aiders are available and first-aid equipment is maintained. Evacuation routes and assembly points are identified for static depots and communicated to staff and visiting contractors.

Monitoring, audits and review

We perform regular site inspections, driver vehicle checks and health and safety audits. Performance indicators include training completion rates, near-miss reports, audit findings and corrective action closure times. Senior management reviews the policy annually or after significant incidents, and updates are implemented to reflect legislative changes and evolving best practice in skip hire and waste removal.

Continual improvement The company seeks continual improvement through investment in safer equipment, driver assistance systems, and staff development. Suggested improvements from staff are actively sought and considered. This policy is communicated to all employees and made available to partners and contractors under the principles of transparency and shared responsibility for safer rubbish handling and skip hire services.

Implementation and compliance Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action and suspension of duties until remedial training or corrective measures are completed. The policy supports a proactive health and safety culture where everyone contributes to risk reduction and the safe delivery of skip hire and waste management services.

Scope limitations: This document outlines company policy and does not replace statutory guidance. It is designed for operational use and internal governance; for detailed legislative obligations and technical standards consult the relevant regulatory sources. Our policy is consistent with accepted industry standards for the safe handling and transportation of household, construction and commercial waste.

Approval This Health and Safety policy is approved by senior management and is effective from the date of issue. It will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains relevant to the business, the services provided and the risks associated with skip hire and rubbish removal operations.