Morden Skip Hire — Health & Safety Policy

Policy Statement: Morden Skip Hire is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across our skip hire and rubbish removal operations. This policy sets out our approach to preventing harm, protecting employees, contractors, customers and the public, and ensuring that our waste management and skip hire services are delivered responsibly within our rubbish company service area.

Scope: This policy applies to all staff, temporary workers, subcontractors and visitors engaged in skip delivery, waste collection, site clearance and related activities. It covers routine operations, vehicle movements, handling of materials, storage of skips and interaction with the public where our rubbish clearance services operate.

Objectives: We aim to reduce risk by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls that are proportionate to the activity and environment. The objectives include preventing injuries, controlling exposures to hazardous substances, safe traffic management on sites, and ensuring correct disposal and segregation under our waste removal company practices.

Responsibilities: Senior management holds overall responsibility for this policy and must ensure adequate resources are available. Line managers are responsible for day-to-day enforcement and ensuring staff receive instruction and supervision. Employees must follow safe systems of work, use PPE correctly and report hazards or incidents promptly.

Risk Assessment and Control: We conduct systematic risk assessments for all operations including skip placement, loading and unloading, vehicle reversing, manual handling and handling of potentially hazardous materials. Controls are applied using hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures and personal protective equipment.

We maintain documented safe operating procedures for tasks with elevated risk, such as working near live traffic, lifting heavy loads into skips and managing mixed waste streams. These procedures are communicated to staff during induction and when tasks change.

Training and Competence: All personnel receive appropriate training for their role, including manual handling, driver safety for refuse vehicles, safe skip loading and hazardous waste awareness. Training is refreshed at intervals or when legislation, processes or equipment change to ensure ongoing competence.

Personal Protective Equipment: We provide suitable PPE including high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety footwear and protective eyewear where required. The use of PPE is a last line of defence and must be maintained, inspected and replaced when worn or damaged.

Vehicles and Equipment Safety: Our fleet and handling equipment are inspected and serviced to a planned schedule. Drivers are trained in load security, vehicle checks, reversing and safe parking to protect the public and roadside workers. Equipment faults are reported and taken out of service until repaired.

Hazardous and Controlled Waste: Where potentially hazardous items are identified—such as asbestos-containing materials, chemicals, batteries and electrical items—these are segregated and handled in accordance with applicable waste regulations. Staff are instructed not to accept or move suspect hazardous materials without qualified supervision.

Site Safety and Public Protection: Skip placement considers visibility, access, footways and safe pedestrian routes. Where necessary, traffic management measures are used to minimise risks to road users and pedestrians. Customers receive clear instructions on permitted materials and safe loading to reduce hazards.

Contractor Management: All subcontractors and third-party providers must demonstrate compliance with this policy before work commences. We require evidence of insurance, appropriate training, and safe systems of work. Performance is monitored during works and non-compliance is addressed promptly.

Emergency Preparedness and Response: We maintain procedures for incidents such as spills, collisions, fire or medical emergencies. Staff are trained in emergency actions, and emergency equipment is accessible and maintained. Incidents are managed to protect people, property and the environment.

Incident Reporting and Investigation: All accidents, near-misses and hazardous occurrences are reported promptly, recorded and investigated to identify root causes. Corrective actions are implemented and shared across the organisation to prevent recurrence and to improve our waste management practices.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: We conduct routine audits and inspections of operations, vehicles and sites. Key performance indicators and safety observations inform management reviews. The policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner if there are significant operational changes, to ensure it remains suitable and effective for our skip hire and rubbish clearance services.

Employee Participation: We encourage employees to take part in health and safety initiatives, report unsafe conditions and suggest improvements. Communication channels are maintained to ensure safety information reaches all staff and that concerns are acted upon.

Legal Compliance: Morden Skip Hire commits to complying with relevant health, safety and environmental legislation and best practice standards that apply to a waste removal company and rubbish collection operator. We retain records that demonstrate compliance and support continuous improvement.

Policy Endorsement: This policy represents the framework for safe operations and is supported by senior management. It is distributed to staff and made available to interested parties concerned with our skip hire and rubbish company operations within the service area.

Key elements of this policy are summarised here in a quick checklist:

• Clear lines of responsibility and active management oversight
• Regular risk assessment, monitoring and review
• Training, competence and use of appropriate PPE
• Safe vehicle and equipment maintenance regimes
• Controls for hazardous waste and emergency readiness

Commitment: Morden Skip Hire will continue to invest in safe systems, training and monitoring to protect everyone affected by our operations. This policy will be reviewed and updated to reflect operational changes, evolving risks and to support safe, responsible waste removal and skip hire services.