Health and Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Kingston

Commercial Waste Kingston is committed to providing a safe working environment across our commercial rubbish services and waste removal operations. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks for staff, contractors, clients and the general public while delivering high-quality Kingston commercial waste collection and disposal. The policy applies to all activities carried out in connection with our rubbish collection and commercial waste management services.

Policy objectives and commitments

We will: prevent injuries and ill health, minimise environmental impacts from waste handling, and continually improve safety performance. Our key objectives include reducing incidents during waste collection rounds, ensuring safe handling of commercial refuse and bulky junk, and maintaining well-managed waste transfer and storage practices. Health and safety considerations are integrated into planning, vehicle operations and site work.

Roles, responsibilities and accountability

Senior management holds overall responsibility for health and safety strategy across the waste removal service. Operational managers and supervisors are responsible for risk assessments, implementing controls and ensuring staff competence. Employees and contractors must follow safe systems of work, use issued personal protective equipment and report incidents or hazards promptly. Everyone has a part to play in keeping our commercial rubbish services safe.

Risk assessments are completed for all routine and non-routine operations, including skip loading, manual handling of sacks and lifting bulky commercial waste, and operations involving mechanical lifting equipment. Controls will follow the hierarchy of risk management: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate and use PPE.

Training, competence and communication

We provide induction training for new staff and refresher courses for operational crews, covering safe driving of waste vehicles, manual handling, vehicle loading/unloading and segregation of recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Supervisors deliver toolbox talks and briefings before shifts to reinforce safe work methods for our rubbish company service area operations. Continuous learning ensures crews remain competent to manage changing operational risks.

Clear communication channels are maintained so staff can raise safety concerns. We encourage reporting of near misses and unsafe conditions, which supports incident analysis and preventative action. All incidents are investigated, lessons learned are shared and corrective actions tracked to completion.

Vehicles, plant and equipment

Vehicles and plant used in waste collection are subject to regular maintenance, safety checks and licensing where required. Drivers and operators are trained to operate compaction units, tail lifts and grapplers safely. Pre-shift vehicle checks and daily defect reporting form part of our operational routine to prevent breakdowns and unsafe conditions during rubbish collection rounds.

Secure loading and proper segregation reduce the risk of shifting loads and hazardous exposures. Work areas are kept tidy and slip/trip hazards are controlled. Where mechanical aids are used for bulky or heavy items, operators follow manufacturer instructions and safe lifting protocols.

Hazardous materials and specialist waste

Some commercial refuse may contain hazardous substances. Our policy requires identification, segregation and handling of such materials in accordance with best practice and regulatory guidance. Staff handling chemical-containing wastes use appropriate PPE and follow safe storage and transport procedures. Where specialist disposal is needed, we engage authorised facilities and ensure documentation accompanies the waste.

Personal protective equipment and health surveillance

Appropriate PPE — including hi-vis clothing, gloves, safety boots and eye protection — is provided and must be worn where required. Fit-for-purpose PPE is maintained and replaced as necessary. Health surveillance will be provided for roles with identified health risks (for example, prolonged exposure to dust or repeated manual handling), and we support occupational health referrals where needed.

Emergency preparedness and incident response

We maintain emergency procedures for spill response, vehicle incidents and on-site accidents. Crews are trained in first aid and emergency contact protocols to ensure rapid response. Incidents are recorded, investigated and reviewed so preventive measures can be implemented across the rubbish removal and commercial waste operations.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement

We monitor safety performance through inspections, audits and incident reporting. Performance data is reviewed by management and used to set targets for improvement. This health and safety policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if operational changes or significant incidents occur, to ensure it remains relevant to our waste collection and commercial rubbish services.

All employees, contractors and stakeholders are expected to support and adhere to this policy. By working together, Commercial Waste Kingston aims to protect health, prevent harm and deliver reliable, safe waste services within our service area.

• Policy owner: Senior Management (safety lead)
• Review frequency: Annually or after significant change
• Scope: All commercial waste and rubbish collection activities