Skip Hire Shoreditch Health & Safety Policy

This policy sets out the safety standards for our skip hire and rubbish removal operations across our service area. It describes how the company manages risks associated with skip placement, waste collection and transport, and the responsibilities we apply to keep staff, contractors and the public safe. The policy applies to all employees, temporary staff and authorised subcontractors involved in skip hire, rubbish removal and waste collection activities.

Purpose and scope: Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and environmental harm by maintaining robust site controls, safe working procedures and clear communication. The policy covers on-site works, vehicle operations, manual handling, segregation of waste, secure loading of rubbish and disposal practices that reduce risk across the whole skip hire service area.

Responsibilities: Management has overall responsibility for implementing and reviewing this health and safety policy, ensuring adequate resources and regular monitoring. Supervisors must carry out site-specific risk assessments and ensure teams follow safe systems of work. Employees are required to cooperate with safety measures, report hazards, and use personal protective equipment (PPE) provided. Our subcontractors and drivers are expected to follow our standards when performing skip hire services and rubbish clearance jobs.

Risk assessment, planning and site controls

Before work begins a formal risk assessment is completed for each skip hire or waste removal job. Assessments consider vehicle access, pedestrian movement, subterranean hazards (like service covers), overhead obstructions, traffic management and the correct siting of skips to avoid obstruction. Written method statements are provided for non-routine operations and for sites with elevated risk.

Training and competence: All staff receive training in safe manual handling, correct use of lifting equipment and secure loading techniques for skips and tipper bodies. Drivers are trained in vehicle loading limits, ensuring loads are sheeted and secure for transport. Regular refresher training, toolbox talks and competency checks support consistent standards for the whole rubbish collection team.

To maintain safety during routine and unusual tasks we require the following minimum controls to be observed:

• Site set-up: safe exclusion zones, clear signage and traffic management where vehicles operate.
• PPE: high-visibility clothing, gloves, steel-toe footwear and eye protection as appropriate.
• Load management: segregation of hazardous items, safe stacking and secure covering of rubbish loads.
• Vehicle checks: daily vehicle inspection routines and secure attachment of skips prior to movement.

Hazardous materials, segregation and disposal

We do not accept certain hazardous wastes in standard skips. Items such as asbestos, clinical waste, certain chemicals and gas cylinders must be reported and handled under separate procedures. Where hazardous materials are present, work stops until safe removal arrangements are in place. Our waste transfer and disposal practices follow the principle of source segregation, ensuring the right materials are removed by authorised carriers.

Vehicle safety and route planning: Drivers are required to plan collection routes to minimise reversing, reduce exposure to busy pedestrian areas and avoid unnecessary manoeuvres. Vehicles are fitted with safety equipment where practical, and drivers must observe safe loading limits and secure loads to prevent spillage. In all operations, public safety is prioritised when locating skips and during loading operations.

Emergency procedures, incident reporting and monitoring: Clear emergency arrangements are in place for spill response, injury reporting and fire. All incidents, near misses and safety concerns are reported through our internal reporting system, investigated promptly and used to inform corrective actions. We conduct regular site audits, vehicle inspections and management reviews to measure compliance and identify improvements.

Health and wellbeing: Manual handling guidance, appropriate rest breaks and access to welfare facilities are provided to reduce the risk of fatigue and musculoskeletal injury during rubbish removal and skip handling. Occupational health support is available where required.

Contractor and supplier management: All partners engaged for waste collection, skip delivery or specialist disposal must meet our safety expectations prior to starting work. Procurement includes checks on competence and evidence of safe working procedures relevant to skip hire services and rubbish clearance tasks.

Review and continual improvement: This policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to operations, equipment or legislation. Our goal is to continually improve health, safety and environmental performance across our skip hire and waste removal operations through lessons learned, technology and staff engagement.

Implementation: The policy is implemented through training, supervision, documented procedures and a shared commitment to safety from all team members. Everyone involved in skip hire, rubbish removal and waste collection has a role to play in keeping work areas safe and protecting the wider community.

Final note: By following this health and safety policy we reduce harm, protect the environment and maintain reliable skip hire services across our service area. Continuous adherence to these standards is essential to our operation and to the wellbeing of staff and the public.