Health & Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Shepperton

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Commercial Waste Shepperton and associated teams to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, visitors and the public while delivering commercial rubbish and waste collection services. The policy applies across our service area and to all operational activities including waste collection, transfer, sorting and disposal. Our aim is to minimise risk through clear procedures, training, and the consistent use of safe systems of work.

Our objectives are to prevent accidents and ill health, reduce environmental impact, and ensure compliant waste handling. Responsibilities are allocated at all levels: senior management provide leadership and resources; supervisors manage day-to-day safety on sites and vehicles; and every employee is expected to work safely and report hazards. This policy also covers relationships with subcontractors and partners engaged to support commercial rubbish services.

Risk assessment is central to our approach. We undertake systematic assessments for vehicle operations, manual handling, hazardous waste streams, and customer site activities. Where necessary we implement control measures such as exclusion zones, mechanical aids, and clear segregation of recyclable and non-recyclable material. These controls are reviewed routinely and whenever work patterns or waste types change to ensure ongoing protection and compliance.

Roles, Training and Competence

We maintain competency through induction, refreshers and task-specific training for drivers, loaders, operatives and office staff. Training covers safe lifting techniques, traffic and vehicle safety, correct use of PPE, spill response and handling of dangerous goods. Supervisors verify competence and provide on-the-job coaching. Personnel records document completed training and planned renewals to ensure the whole team remains capable of delivering safe commercial waste services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Senior management: policy, resources and oversight;
• Supervisors: safe systems, toolbox talks and monitoring;
• Employees: follow procedures, report defects and near-misses;
• Contractors: comply with site rules and provide their own risk assessments where required.

Vehicle and plant safety measures include pre-start checks, load security standards, route risk assessments, and scheduling that reduces time pressures which can lead to unsafe acts. Our vehicle fleet is maintained to a high standard and defect reporting is immediate; if a vehicle is deemed unsafe it is taken out of service until repaired. Where powered equipment is used, guarding and isolation procedures are strictly enforced.

Operational Controls and Waste Handling

Waste segregation and handling procedures are specified for standard commercial rubbish, hazardous wastes, sharp objects and bulk loads. Procedures include secure containment, labelling, and use of suitable bins and skip systems. Sharps and chemical wastes are transported and stored in accordance with safe handling procedures to prevent spills, exposures or cross-contamination. Employees receive instruction on the correct use of spill kits and containment measures.

Manual handling risk is reduced through mechanical aids, team lifts and task design. We apply safe lifting plans and provide mechanical lifting equipment where practicable. Personal Protective Equipment, including gloves, high-visibility clothing, hard hats and appropriate footwear, is provided and must be worn where risk assessments require it. The company regularly reviews PPE adequacy for tasks across the commercial rubbish removal service.

Incident reporting and emergency response are vital components of our safety management. All incidents, near-misses and injuries are recorded and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures for fires, spills and medical incidents are established at depots and on-site operations. We run periodic drills and ensure staff know reporting lines and immediate actions to take.

Monitoring, audit and continual improvement underpin our policy. Regular workplace inspections, vehicle audits and performance reviews are conducted to ensure controls are implemented and effective. External audits and third-party assessments may be used to benchmark best practice in commercial waste collection and rubbish management. Findings drive corrective actions and updates to procedures.

Communication is maintained through toolbox talks, written procedures and digital notices. We encourage employees to contribute safety observations and to participate in reviews. Strong lines of communication help to identify evolving risks associated with new waste streams, seasonal workload changes or changes to client sites.

Legal and regulatory compliance is observed as a minimum standard. We commit to meeting applicable health and safety and waste management obligations, maintaining records and cooperating with appropriate enforcement and inspection bodies. This policy is reviewed annually or sooner after significant incidents, operational changes, or legislative updates.

Implementation of this Health & Safety Policy is the responsibility of everyone who works for or represents Commercial Waste Shepperton. We strive to deliver safe, reliable and environmentally responsible rubbish and commercial waste services across our operating area while protecting our workforce and the public. By following the commitments outlined here, we create a safer workplace and a more sustainable service for our customers.