Brimsdown Skip Hire Health & Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out the approach adopted by Brimsdown Skip Hire to protect the welfare of employees, contractors and members of the public across our rubbish company service area. It applies to all waste removal and skip hire operations, whether on customer sites, public highways or our own depots. Our objective is to minimise risk from waste handling, transport and site activities and to ensure compliance with applicable waste and occupational safety requirements. The policy is supported by practical systems that promote safe working in skip hire and rubbish services and underpin our duty of care.

Management recognises its responsibility to provide robust leadership and resources necessary for effective safety management. Line managers and supervisors have defined duties for implementing safe systems of work; workers are expected to follow safe practices and report hazards. Our chain of responsibility extends to subcontractors and partner operations engaged in waste management and rubbish collection activities. Training, regular supervision and clear communication are core elements of our safety culture.

Comprehensive risk assessments are conducted for all routine and non-routine tasks in our skip hire service area. These assessments identify hazards related to manual handling, vehicle movements, interaction with members of the public, and potential exposure to hazardous materials. Controls include job-specific permits, vehicle exclusion zones, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and engineered measures where practical. All risk assessments are documented, reviewed periodically and whenever operational changes occur.

Training, Competence and Safe Work Procedures

We maintain a structured training programme to ensure competence in waste removal and skip operations. Induction training covers site rules, vehicle safety, manual handling and segregation of wastes. Ongoing competence is verified through toolbox talks, practical assessments and refresher courses. Operators of skip-lifting equipment and drivers receive task-specific instruction and are assessed prior to unsupervised duties. Employees are encouraged to raise safety concerns and participate in continuous improvement of safe work procedures.

Special procedures govern handling of hazardous or potentially hazardous materials encountered during rubbish collection. Where suspected hazardous waste is identified, teams follow isolation and reporting protocols and arrange for specialist removal. Chemical, asbestos and sharps risks are managed through segregation, labelling, safe storage and transfer to authorised disposal facilities. Records of waste consignments and duty of care paperwork are maintained in accordance with regulatory standards to ensure traceability and environmental protection.

Control measures adopted across our waste management operations include:

• Pre-task risk assessments and method statements for non-routine activities
• Mandatory PPE for handling and transport (gloves, eye protection, hi-vis, safety boots)
• Safe vehicle loading limits and securement procedures to prevent spillage during transit
• Traffic management plans for customer sites and depot areas to separate pedestrians and vehicles
• Emergency response arrangements, including spill kits and first-aid provision

Monitoring, Reporting and Contractor Management

We implement active monitoring to verify compliance with this policy. Routine site inspections, vehicle checks, and scheduled audits assess the effectiveness of controls. Incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions are reported without delay and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Records of incidents and remedial measures are retained to inform trend analysis and reduce recurrence. The company enforces a zero-tolerance stance on unsafe behaviour, with disciplinary measures for repeated or reckless breaches.

Contractor and subcontractor management is integral to delivering safe rubbish services and skip hire solutions. Pre-qualification processes evaluate contractors’ safety performance, insurance and competency. Contracts include explicit safety requirements and the right to suspend work if contractors fail to meet specified standards. We coordinate activities at shared sites, ensuring clear roles and communications to avoid conflicting operations and hazards.

Vehicle and plant safety is a priority across our skip hire and waste collection fleet. Drivers adhere to planned routes and duty schedules designed to reduce fatigue and risk. Routine maintenance and pre-shift checks minimise mechanical failure; secure load practices and vehicle restraint systems prevent waste displacement. Where reversible operations or confined site access is necessary, banksmen and exclusion zones are used to protect staff and public. The company supports safe lifting techniques and provides mechanical aids to reduce manual handling injuries.

We commit to continual improvement by reviewing this policy at least annually and after significant incidents or operational changes. The policy promotes collaboration between management, employees and stakeholders to enhance safety performance across the rubbish removal and skip hire service area. It is made available to employees and contractors and forms part of the company’s governance for health, safety and environmental stewardship. By following these principles and controls, Brimsdown Skip Hire aims to maintain a safe working environment while delivering reliable waste management and skip hire services.