Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Limehouse

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Skip Hire Limehouse to protect employees, contractors, customers and the public while delivering skip hire and rubbish removal services across our service area. It applies to all operations associated with skip hire services, waste collection, bulky rubbish removal and related transport activities. The purpose of this policy is to define clear responsibilities, outline safe work practices and promote a positive safety culture so that hazards are eliminated or reduced where reasonably practicable. Safety is integral to our service delivery and must be observed at every stage of work.

Scope and Responsibilities

All staff and contractors engaged in skip hire, waste handling and site delivery must comply with this policy. Senior management has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the policy is implemented, while supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day-to-day enforcement. Employees are required to follow instructions, report hazards and take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others. This document outlines operational expectations for drivers, loaders, site operatives and administrative personnel and is relevant to all locations within our rubbish company service area.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: We maintain a programme of regular risk assessments to identify physical, chemical and ergonomic hazards associated with skip hire operations, vehicle movements, manual handling and waste segregation. Risk control measures follow a hierarchy of elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). Where risks cannot be fully eliminated, we implement control measures to reduce exposure and monitor their effectiveness through inspections and audits.

Training and Competence: Personnel engaged in skip loading, vehicle operation, and site supervision receive induction training and periodic refresher training tailored to their roles. Training covers safe loading and unloading, securing loads, traffic management on-site, manual handling techniques and the correct use of PPE. We maintain records of qualifications and competencies and ensure that only authorised and competent staff operate vehicles and equipment. Continuous learning is encouraged and supervisors are expected to coach team members on safe behaviours.

Personal Protective Equipment and Vehicle Safety

Appropriate PPE such as high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety footwear and eye protection must be worn where required. Vehicle safety requirements include pre-shift vehicle checks, secure load checks, safe reversing protocols and use of banksmen where visibility is restricted. Drivers and vehicle operators must adhere to safe driving standards, avoid distracted driving and comply with applicable vehicle maintenance schedules. We promote a safety-first approach to transport and rubbish collection tasks.

Contractor and Visitor Management: All contractors and visitors to operational sites must sign in, be briefed on site-specific hazards and follow our safety rules. Contractors are required to demonstrate how they will manage risk and comply with our standards before commencing work. When coordinating multiple parties on a site, designated points of contact are established to manage interfaces and ensure smooth, safe operations. Coordination reduces overlap of activities that could increase risk.

Safe Working Procedures and Waste Segregation: Standard operating procedures cover skip placement, loading techniques, weight limits, and permitted contents. Improper items such as hazardous materials, asbestos, and pressurised containers are excluded and must not be placed in skips. We encourage correct segregation of recyclable materials to support environmental objectives and reduce manual handling risks. Supervisors must ensure that skips are not overfilled and that lids or tarpaulins are used when necessary to secure loads during transport.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Response: Any accident, near miss or dangerous occurrence must be reported immediately and recorded. Incident investigation procedures are in place to establish root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Emergency arrangements include first aid provisions, emergency contact procedures for serious incidents, and arrangements for spill control. Regular drills and reviews ensure that staff remain prepared and that emergency equipment is maintained and accessible.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement: We commit to regular audits, inspections and performance reviews to measure compliance with this policy. Safety performance indicators include incident rates, near-miss reports, audit findings and completion of training. Findings lead to corrective actions, updates to procedures and further training where required. This policy is reviewed at planned intervals or when significant changes to operations occur. Improvement is continual and is supported by a strong reporting culture and visible leadership.