Health and Safety Policy for Lambeth Skip Hire

Lambeth Skip Hire is committed to providing a safe working environment for staff, contractors and the public while delivering professional rubbish collection and skip hire services across our service area. This policy sets out our approach to managing risk, preventing injury and promoting compliance with statutory obligations. It applies to all activities associated with skip hire operations, waste collection, rubbish removal service and site support, and is designed to be proportionate to the scale and nature of our operations.

We maintain a clear structure of responsibilities so that every member of the team understands their role in health and safety. Senior management is accountable for ensuring adequate resources and oversight, supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation, and staff and subcontractors are expected to follow safe systems of work. Training and competency checks are essential components of our approach to safe skip hire activities and general rubbish clearance duties.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

All operations are subject to documented risk assessments that identify hazards related to vehicle movements, manual handling of waste, hazardous materials, working at height when loading or unloading, and interactions with members of the public. Control measures include safe loading procedures, use of mechanical aids where practicable, segregation of hazardous items, and strict prohibitions on the disposal of controlled wastes without appropriate permits. We also maintain procedures to manage the risks associated with site deliveries and collections within our rubbish company service area.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is issued and maintained for all operational staff and contractors. The required PPE is clearly specified in task risk assessments and may include high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety footwear and eye protection. PPE use is enforced on-site and during vehicle operation to reduce the risk of injury during skip hire, refuse collection and waste clearance activities. Regular inspections of PPE and replacement schedules are recorded.

Safe Working Practices

Our safe working practices are designed to minimise exposure to hazards during each stage of a rubbish removal or skip hire engagement. These include pre-shift vehicle checks, documented handover procedures for multi-shift operations, vehicle loading limits, and mandatory exclusion zones during mechanical handling. Where specialist waste is present, we follow specific handling and transportation rules. Employees must report near misses and hazards immediately to enable continuous improvement across the waste management service area.

Vehicles and equipment are inspected and maintained at defined intervals by competent personnel. Defects are logged and taken out of service until repaired. Maintenance regimes are risk-based and tailored to the demands of skip movements, frequent stops for curbside collections, and operations within restricted spaces. Records of maintenance, inspections and remedial actions are maintained to demonstrate due diligence.

Contractor management is a critical part of our policy. Only contractors who demonstrate suitable competence and insurance are engaged for specialised tasks. We issue site-specific safety information and require proof of training and compliance with our health and safety expectations prior to commencing work. Regular audits and spot-checks ensure that subcontractors follow the same standards as in-house teams for rubbish clearance and skip hire duties in the wider service area.

Emergency Preparedness and Incident Reporting

We maintain clear emergency procedures for incidents such as road traffic accidents, spillage of hazardous materials, fires involving waste, and medical emergencies. Staff are trained in first response actions, and incidents are reported and investigated promptly to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Lessons learned are incorporated into training and risk assessments to enhance the overall safety performance of the rubbish removal operations.

Monitoring, Review and Continual Improvement

Our health and safety management is subject to regular performance monitoring through audits, inspections and review of incident trends. Key performance indicators include incident rates, near-miss reports, training completion and equipment inspection compliance. This data is used to drive continuous improvement, with corrective actions implemented and tracked to closure. The policy is reviewed at least annually or when significant changes to operations, legislation or the skip hire service footprint occur.

All employees are encouraged to engage with the safety process and raise concerns. Communication channels include toolbox talks, safety briefings and written bulletins that highlight risks, seasonal considerations and operational changes. By fostering a positive safety culture centred on shared responsibility, Lambeth Skip Hire aims to deliver reliable, compliant and safe rubbish collection, skip hire and waste management services across our service area.