Health & Safety Policy for Commercial Waste Kenton

Commercial Waste Kenton maintains this Health and Safety policy to protect workers, contractors and the public across our rubbish company service area. This policy sets out our commitment to safe operations for collection, transport and disposal of commercial waste, and applies to all personnel engaged in rubbish collection service area activities. The purpose of the policy is to reduce risk, prevent injury and ensure legal compliance through clear responsibilities, documented procedures and ongoing monitoring. Safety is integral to our operations, and we expect all staff and subcontractors to follow the standards described below.

Management is responsible for providing leadership, resources and an environment in which health and safety considerations are treated as a core business priority. Supervisors must ensure that staff receive appropriate task-specific training and that safe systems of work are implemented and followed. Employees are required to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, to use provided personal protective equipment and to report hazards, near-misses and incidents immediately. Contractors engaged within our waste management service area must comply with this policy and demonstrate competency before commencing work.

Risk assessment and hazard identification are performed for all routine and non-routine tasks involved in commercial rubbish services. Identified risks include manual handling, vehicle movements, lifting and emptying of containers, exposure to hazardous substances, sharps and biological waste, slips/trips and falls and mechanical plant operation. We maintain written assessments that are reviewed regularly and when conditions change. Hierarchy of controls is applied: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.

Control Measures and Safe Working Procedures

Control measures are documented to reduce exposure to hazards across our waste collection service area. Key controls include:

• Safe loading and unloading procedures: secure loads, use mechanical aids where possible and avoid manual lifting beyond safe limits.
• Segregation and labelling: clearly label containers and segregate hazardous from non-hazardous waste to prevent cross-contamination.
• Vehicle safety: immobilise vehicles during loading, maintain reversing alarms and ensure safe walkways for staff.
• Housekeeping: maintain clear, well-lit access areas to reduce slips and trips.

Permit-to-work systems are used for high-risk activities such as confined space entry, mechanical repairs and handling of hazardous materials. Routine checks and pre-start vehicle inspections are mandatory and documented to ensure equipment is safe and roadworthy before leaving depots in our waste collection areas.

Training, PPE and Competence

Staff receive induction training covering company policy, emergency procedures, manual handling techniques and safe operation of equipment specific to the rubbish removal service area. Ongoing refresher training is provided, and competency is assessed periodically. Appropriate personal protective equipment is provided and must be used as required: gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, eye protection and respiratory protection where indicated. Failure to use PPE when required will be treated as a breach of policy.

Vehicles and mechanical handling equipment are maintained to manufacturer and regulatory standards. Drivers and operators hold necessary licences and certificates and must follow safe driving practices, including route planning to avoid unnecessary reversing in confined spaces. Maintenance records, inspection logs and defect reports are retained to demonstrate continuous compliance throughout the service area.

Contractors and subcontractors are selected based on safety performance and ability to meet our standards. They must provide risk assessments and method statements prior to starting work and are subject to on-site monitoring. Our procurement process includes evaluation of health and safety management arrangements and evidence of training. Where specialist disposal or hazardous waste handling is required, only authorised, licensed handlers will be used.

Incident reporting and emergency response procedures are established and communicated to all staff working in the rubbish company service area. All incidents, injuries and near-misses must be reported without delay and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Emergency plans cover spill response, fire, medical emergencies and police liaison where necessary. Lessons learned are incorporated into training and procedures to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, audit and continual improvement are core elements of this policy. Regular inspections, audits and performance reviews are conducted to ensure adherence to safe work practices across the waste management service area. Key performance indicators include incident rates, training completion, vehicle inspection compliance and corrective action closure times. Findings are reported to senior management and used to drive improvements.

This Health & Safety policy will be reviewed at least annually or when there are significant changes to operations, regulations or after a major incident. All employees and contractors will be informed of revisions. By implementing these measures, Commercial Waste Kenton seeks to deliver reliable, safe commercial rubbish services across its service area while protecting people and the environment. Compliance with this policy is mandatory and forms a condition of employment and engagement for all workers and partners.