Norbiton Skip Hire - Health and Safety Policy

Norbiton Skip Hire is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our operations. This policy outlines the approach we take across our rubbish company service area and skip hire activities to manage hazards, reduce risk and ensure compliance with recognised standards. As a provider of skip hire and waste removal services we will operate with clear controls, suitable equipment and robust procedures to protect health, prevent accidents and limit environmental impact while delivering reliable rubbish collection and removal solutions.

Our responsibilities are allocated to all levels of the organisation. Senior management will provide leadership, resources and oversight; supervisors will ensure safe working practices are followed; and every worker must observe training, use protective equipment and report hazards. Managers will maintain systems for incident reporting, risk assessment and ongoing review, while employees are expected to co-operate and follow instructions. We emphasise that safety is a shared duty and that continual improvement is achieved through active participation, measurable targets and clear communication.

Identification and assessment of hazards are central to our operational planning. Each job involving skip placement, rubbish collection, vehicle loading or waste transfer will have documented risk assessments that consider manual handling, vehicle movements, contamination, sharps and mixed waste streams. Controls include appropriate containment, segregation of recycling and hazardous items, safe lifting procedures, and the provision of suitable personal protective equipment. The policy applies across the full extent of our rubbish company footprint, covering routine collections and special project clearances.

Risk management and operational controls

We maintain operational controls to reduce the likelihood and consequence of incidents. These controls are implemented through planning, supervision and equipment maintenance. Key measures include:

• Pre-task risk assessments that identify site-specific hazards;
• Vehicle and plant inspection routines to keep skip hire vehicles and lifting equipment safe;
• Clear traffic management and safe access arrangements on customer sites and public areas;
• Procedures for handling hazardous materials and for isolating contaminated loads;
• Waste segregation policies to promote recycling and to ensure safe disposal of restricted items.

Training, competence and communication

Training is essential to making this health and safety policy effective. Employees and contractors will receive induction training, job-specific instruction and refresher courses to maintain competence in skip handling, waste sorting and vehicle operations. Communication channels include toolbox talks, written procedures and site briefings so that everyone understands their responsibilities. We will use clear signage and instructions at workplace locations and ensure that staff know how to report incidents and hazards without delay.

Vehicle, site and environmental safety

Operations involving vehicle movement and site setup are controlled by documented procedures that prioritise safety and environmental protection. Skip placement considers visibility, pedestrian routes and safe loading zones. Drivers follow formal checklists and adhere to safe driving standards. Environmental controls, such as spill kits and containment measures, are available to prevent pollution during loading and transit. Our approach supports efficient rubbish removal while protecting workers and the wider community.

Personal protective equipment is provided to all staff and must be used as identified by risk assessments. This includes gloves, high-visibility clothing, eye protection and safety footwear where required. Manual handling is minimised through mechanical aids and correct lifting training, while sharps and potentially hazardous items are dealt with via specific containment procedures. Where hazardous materials are suspected we will follow segregation, secure packaging and specialist handling processes to reduce exposure and ensure safe onward processing.

Monitoring, auditing and continuous improvement are integral to the policy. Regular inspections, safety audits and performance reviews measure compliance and effectiveness across the rubbish collection area and waste removal service operations. Incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and preventative actions. We will maintain records of training, maintenance and incidents to demonstrate commitment and to guide ongoing development of safer working practices for our skip hire service.

Norbiton Skip Hire expects customers and subcontractors to cooperate with site-specific safety requirements and to follow instructions to protect workers and public safety. We reserve the right to refuse work that cannot be undertaken safely and will provide alternatives or advice to enable safe completion of a job. Our goal is to balance service delivery with the highest practicable safety standards across the operational area covered by our rubbish company activities.

This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changes in operations, legislation and industry best practice. Through ongoing risk assessment, training and operational controls we aim to minimise harm, avoid accidents and protect the environment. The commitment to safety is a fundamental aspect of our service ethos and underpins every element of our skip hire and waste removal work.

Policy endorsement: The organisation endorses this policy and expects all employees, contractors and partners to take responsibility for their actions and to contribute to a safe working environment across the full rubbish company service area.