Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Leyton

Skip Hire Leyton is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across all waste and rubbish removal services we provide. This policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and practical measures that govern safe working for staff, contractors and members of the public within our rubbish company service area. The aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property and the environment while delivering reliable skip hire and waste management services.

Policy Scope and Objectives

The policy covers skip delivery, collection, on-site loading, transportation, depot operations and related tasks in our skip hire and rubbish collection operations. Objectives include: ensuring compliance with statutory requirements; identifying, assessing and controlling risks; providing necessary training and resources; and continuously reviewing performance. The policy applies to all employees, subcontractors and temporary staff engaged in skip hire and rubbish collection activities across our service area.

Responsibilities and Leadership

Directors and senior managers hold overall responsibility for implementing this policy. They will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, control measures are in place and that sufficient resources are allocated. Supervisors and site managers are responsible for day-to-day safety enforcement and for acting as points of contact for health and safety matters. All employees are required to cooperate with safe systems of work, report hazards and follow instructions.

To support this, our operational responsibilities include a documented chain of command, allocation of competent personnel for task supervision and clear procedures for escalation. Effective leadership and visible management commitment are central to achieving our safety objectives.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

We perform regular risk assessments for vehicle operations, manual handling, loading/unloading of skips, traffic management, and handling of hazardous or mixed waste. Control measures include:

• PPE: Provision and mandatory use of gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots and eye protection where appropriate.
• Safe systems: Slot-in delivery systems, wheel chocks, clear exclusion zones and secure load restraints to prevent shifting during transit.
• Vehicle safety: Regular maintenance, daily vehicle checks, and restrictions on mobile phone use while driving.

Training, Competence and Communication

All staff receive tailored training relevant to their roles, covering manual handling, traffic safety, hazardous waste recognition, and emergency procedures. Training is refreshed at specified intervals and whenever new risks or equipment are introduced. We maintain records of competence and provide toolbox talks to reinforce safe practices on site.

Communication is maintained through pre-shift briefings, visible signage at work sites, and documented instructions for customers and contractors where applicable. Clear signage and instructions are used to demarcate no-go zones and to instruct on safe loading to maintain public safety near skip locations.

Contractors engaged for specialist tasks must demonstrate appropriate competence and insurance. They are required to comply with this policy and with any site-specific arrangements we issue prior to work commencing.

Hazardous Materials and Waste Segregation

The company has procedures for identifying hazardous materials such as asbestos, batteries, solvents and sharps. Skips will not be accepted for certain prohibited items and staff are trained to refuse or isolate loads suspected of containing dangerous waste, escalating to senior management for controlled handling. Segregation of waste streams is enforced to protect operatives and to meet legal waste carrier obligations.

Where hazardous waste is encountered, we will follow statutory reporting, containment and disposal requirements. Emergency spill kits and appropriate PPE are held at depots and on selected vehicles to deal with incidents involving hazardous substances.

Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continual Improvement

All accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately using our incident reporting process. Investigations are carried out to determine root causes and to implement corrective actions. Records of incidents and health monitoring are maintained and reviewed to identify trends and prioritise improvements.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

Emergency procedures are documented and available to all staff. They cover first aid provision, fire response, vehicle collisions, hazardous material exposure and evacuation arrangements. Trained first aiders are present at depots and mobile staff carry communication devices to summon assistance. Regular drills are conducted to ensure readiness.

Monitoring and audit of safety performance includes routine site inspections, vehicle checks and periodic safety audits. The results inform management review meetings and resource allocation for remediation measures.

Review and policy ownership: This policy is reviewed annually or sooner in response to legislative change, significant incident, or organisational change. The review process ensures that safe working standards evolve with operational needs and legal requirements. Responsibility for policy maintenance lies with senior management who will publish amendments and communicate changes to all stakeholders.

Conclusion

Skip Hire Leyton is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of employees, contractors, customers and the community within our rubbish collection and skip hire operations. Through robust risk management, training, clear responsibilities and continuous review, we seek to deliver safe, compliant and reliable rubbish removal and skip hire services across our service area. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all personnel engaged in our operations and forms part of the company’s contractual and operational standards.

Key commitments include adherence to legislation, regular risk assessment, proper waste segregation, vehicle and equipment maintenance, and a culture that encourages reporting and improvement. By following these principles, the company will minimise risk and promote safe practices across the entire scope of skip hire and rubbish company activities.

This document represents the health and safety framework that underpins our operations. It should be read alongside specific operational procedures and risk assessments for particular tasks or sites.