Health & Safety Policy — Business Waste Removal Morden
This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments and arrangements for safe operation of our commercial waste removal and rubbish collection activities. It applies to all staff, drivers, operatives and subcontractors engaged in business waste removal, commercial rubbish collection and related transport within our service area. The policy outlines responsibilities, key controls and the standards we maintain to protect employees, customers, third parties and the environment.Policy Objectives and Scope
Our primary objective is to prevent work-related injury and ill health while ensuring compliance with applicable health and safety obligations. We aim to provide safe waste removal services, including hazardous and non-hazardous waste handling, secure transportation and compliant disposal or recycling. We commit to continuous improvement by monitoring performance, investigating incidents and implementing corrective actions. This policy covers all business waste removal operations, refuse collection, and commercial waste transport across our rubbish company service area.
To meet these objectives we will:
Maintain legal compliance with relevant legislation and best practice; carry out documented risk assessments; provide suitable equipment and information; and ensure staff competence. All managers and supervisors must actively support and enforce safe work practices, while individual employees have a duty to follow instructions, use provided protective equipment and report hazards.
Risk Assessment, Controls and PPE
Risk assessments shall be recorded and reviewed regularly, focusing on waste segregation, manual handling, sharps and hazardous substances encountered during commercial waste removal, and vehicle operations. Control measures include engineering controls, safe systems of work, and mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, hi-vis clothing, safety footwear and eye protection where required. Training on correct PPE selection and use will be provided, and compliance will be audited.
Key operational measures include:
- Clear segregation of recyclable, non-recyclable and hazardous waste streams to prevent cross-contamination;
- Use of approved containers and secure loading procedures to minimise spill and manual handling risks;
- Vehicle inspection protocols and driver safety checks prior to departure to reduce road-related hazards;
- Safe handling procedures for sharp items and chemical residues identified during rubbish removal services.
We emphasise safe lifting techniques and the use of mechanical aids where practicable. Supervisors must ensure that all operatives engaged in commercial rubbish removal are briefed on specific site risks before work begins.
Emergency response and incident management form core elements of our safety approach. All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly and recorded. Investigations will identify root causes and result in action plans to prevent recurrence. Emergency arrangements include spill containment kits, first aid provisions, and liaison with emergency services where required. We maintain a programme of routine safety drills and vehicle breakdown procedures to address operational disruptions.
Monitoring, auditing and performance review: The organisation will conduct regular safety audits, inspections and spot checks of rubbish removal operations and vehicle fleets. Performance metrics such as incident frequency, training completion rates and waste segregation compliance will be reviewed by management. This ensures that our waste removal services continue to operate within acceptable risk tolerances and align with evolving standards for commercial waste management.
Contractors and third parties: Where subcontractors or partner rubbish collection firms are engaged within our service area, they must meet this policy's requirements and provide evidence of their competence, insurance and safe systems. Contractor arrangements will be managed through formal agreements and pre-start checks to ensure alignment with our safety standards.
Employee responsibilities and training — All staff are responsible for their own safety and that of others. Managers must ensure their teams are competent through induction, task-specific training and refresher sessions. Training covers waste identification, manual handling, use of equipment, road safety for drivers and emergency procedures. Records of training, medical checks and licences will be maintained to demonstrate competence for tasks such as operating lifting equipment and handling hazardous materials.
Environmental protection and waste handling: Our approach to environmentally responsible waste removal includes prioritising recycling and reuse, minimising landfill disposal and ensuring hazardous materials are handled by authorised facilities. Waste transfer notes and documentation will be maintained to demonstrate lawful disposal, chain of custody and compliance with environmental requirements across the rubbish company service area.
