Health & Safety Policy — Seven Sisters Skip Hire

Seven Sisters Skip Hire operates a clear and comprehensive Health and Safety policy designed to protect employees, contractors, customers and the public within our rubbish company service area. This policy sets out the principles and responsibilities for safe operation of skip hire, waste removal and refuse collection activities. It applies across our skip hire service area and to all work locations where we provide rubbish clearance and waste transfer services.

Policy statement and objectives

We are committed to preventing workplace injury and ill health and to complying with statutory duties for a safe environment. Our objectives include: maintaining safe plant and vehicles; ensuring safe handling of loads during skip hire and waste removal; providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE); and reducing environmental risks from refuse and rubbish transport. These commitments cover the full range of our rubbish removal company activities.

Responsibilities: The management team retains ultimate responsibility for health and safety. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure work is planned and risk assessed. Employees, operatives and subcontractors are expected to cooperate, follow safe systems of work and report hazards. This shared approach helps maintain consistent safety standards across the wider rubbish collection and skip hire operations.

Risk assessment and control

We undertake regular risk assessments for routine tasks and non-routine activities such as loading bulky waste or working near traffic. Controls follow the hierarchy of risk management: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Specific risks addressed include manual handling, working from vehicles, traffic management at sites, and safe storage of mixed waste in skips.

Safe work systems are documented for common tasks. These include loading procedures for skips, segregation of recyclable materials, and protocols for bulky item collection. Training is provided before operatives start on vehicle routes or site work. The policy emphasises continuous improvement and adapting safe methods to the varied needs of our skip hire service area and waste removal operations.

Key safety measures include:

• Vehicle checks and maintenance to ensure brakes, lights and lifting equipment remain safe
• Traffic management plans for roadside collections and on-site delivery of skips
• PPE requirements such as high-visibility clothing, gloves and safety boots

Training, competence and communication — We provide structured induction and refresher training to ensure staff remain competent for their roles. Training covers manual handling, vehicle loading techniques, hazardous material awareness and emergency procedures. Toolbox talks and safety briefings are used to reinforce best practice across all rubbish clearance and rubbish removal services.

We emphasise clear communication between drivers, loaders and site contacts. Procedures exist for reporting incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions so that lessons are learned and preventive actions implemented. A documented incident reporting system supports investigations and corrective measures, improving the overall safety of our skip hire company activities.

Handling hazardous and controlled wastes: Where potentially hazardous items are encountered — for example asbestos, chemical containers, or contaminated materials — staff follow strict protocols. Such materials are identified, segregated and only transported in accordance with regulatory requirements. If hazardous waste is found in a skip, work will stop and the item dealt with by trained personnel, ensuring compliance and safety for the team and the public.

Site safety and public protection — When operating on public roads or client premises, our teams implement measures to protect pedestrians and motorists. These include clear signage, cones, safe vehicle positioning and supervised loading. Interactions with householders and site staff include briefings about safety and how to leave areas clear for safe vehicle manoeuvring.

Emergency preparedness — First aid provisions, fire safety measures and emergency contact procedures are in place for all operational sites. Staff receive training on spill response and containment to reduce environmental impact from accidental releases. The company maintains readily accessible emergency equipment on appropriate vehicles and at depot locations to enable fast response.

Monitoring and review — We review health and safety performance through regular audits, incident reviews and consultation with employees. Performance indicators include accident rates, near-miss reports and completion of safety training. The policy is reviewed annually or after significant incidents to ensure it remains effective and aligned with emerging best practice for waste removal and rubbish clearance services.

Continuous improvement and compliance

Seven Sisters Skip Hire will maintain documentation and records to demonstrate compliance with health and safety obligations. We promote a positive safety culture where all personnel are encouraged to suggest improvements. The company is committed to ethical and responsible waste management and to upholding standards across its rubbish company and skip hire service area operations.

Scope and applicability

This policy applies to all employees, contractors and visitors involved in skip hire, waste removal, refuse collection and related activities. It is made available internally and is supported by operational procedures that provide the practical detail necessary for daily safe working. Line managers are responsible for ensuring the policy is implemented consistently across the service area.

Approval and implementation: This policy is endorsed by senior management and will be implemented through risk assessments, training, monitoring, and ongoing communication. Everyone associated with Seven Sisters Skip Hire is expected to comply with this policy and contribute to a safe, efficient and responsible rubbish removal service.