Health and Safety Policy — Hoxton Skip Hire

Hoxton Skip Hire is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of its employees, contractors and the public across our rubbish company service area. This policy sets out our approach to safe operations for skip hire, waste collection and rubbish removal services, including the management of risks associated with transporting and handling waste. The purpose is to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety obligations, to reduce incidents and to promote a culture of continuous improvement in waste management and skip hire operations.

Scope and applicability

This policy applies to everyone who works for or on behalf of the company including drivers, loaders, depot staff and temporary operatives delivering services within our rubbish collection service area. It covers all activities associated with skip delivery and collection, waste transfer, storage of waste on site, recycling operations and interaction with clients or third parties during jobs. It does not replace site-specific instructions where an individual client or site has additional controls in place.

Responsibilities and accountabilities

All staff have a role in delivering safe rubbish company services. Senior management retains ultimate responsibility for health and safety and will ensure adequate resources, training and oversight. Supervisors must conduct and record risk assessments, provide safe systems of work and ensure PPE is used correctly. Employees are required to follow instructions, report hazards, and use protective equipment. Contractors and subcontractors must comply with this policy and submit evidence of competence before commencing work.

Risk assessment and control measures

Risk assessments for skip hire operations and waste removal activities will be completed, documented and reviewed regularly. Controls include safe loading arrangements, vehicle securing procedures, exclusion zones during winching and lifting, and restrictions on hazardous or prohibited wastes in skips. Where specific risks are identified — for example sharps, asbestos or chemical wastes — specialist handling and disposal procedures will be applied and, when necessary, certified contractors will be engaged.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe working practices are mandatory. Our standard PPE includes hi-visibility clothing, safety footwear, gloves, eye protection and suitable respiratory protection when handling dusty or odorous loads. The company will provide instruction on manual handling, traffic management, and working at the roadside. A clear set of operating rules governs skip siting, access arrangements and customer guidance to minimise hazards in the rubbish clearance process.

Training, competence and supervision

Training is provided to ensure competence in vehicle operation, load restraint, hazard recognition and emergency procedures. Records of induction, refresher training and driver CPC or equivalent certifications are maintained. Supervisors will monitor performance and provide on-the-job coaching to ensure consistent standards across the waste management and skip hire service area.

Emergency response and incident reporting

All incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately using the company reporting procedure. The incident management process includes first-aid provision, notification of authorities where required, investigation, root-cause analysis and corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Lessons learned will be shared across the organisation and integrated into operating procedures.

Monitoring, inspections and maintenance

Regular inspections of vehicles, lifting equipment, skips and depot facilities are carried out to maintain fitness for purpose. Pre-use vehicle checks are mandatory for drivers, and any defects must be reported and rectified before operations continue. Scheduled maintenance ensures continued safe performance of plant and vehicles used to deliver rubbish removal, skip hire and waste transport services.

Contractor management and client responsibilities

Where third-party contractors are engaged, they must demonstrate competence, carry suitable insurance and follow this policy or provide their own equivalent safety arrangements. Clients are asked to declare any hazardous materials placed in skips and to provide access suitable for delivery/collection. Clear communication with clients helps reduce site-specific risks and supports the safe delivery of rubbish company services.

Policy review and continual improvement

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and whenever there are significant changes to operations, legislation or following a serious incident. The review process includes consultation with employees and stakeholders to ensure the policy remains effective and proportionate to the risks encountered in our skip hire and rubbish removal activities. Hoxton Skip Hire will continue to strengthen health and safety performance across the rubbish company service area through training, monitoring and management commitment.

Adherence to this policy is mandatory for everyone engaged in waste collection, skip hire and related services. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action and will be addressed promptly to protect people and the environment.