Health and Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Oxted

Policy statement: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments of Commercial Waste Oxted and affiliated rubbish and waste services to maintain a safe working environment for employees, contractors, clients, visitors and the public. The organisation recognises its responsibility to manage risks arising from commercial waste activities, including collection, transport and depot operations. We aim to prevent injury, occupational illness, environmental harm and property damage through robust controls and continuous improvement.

The scope of this policy covers all commercial waste services in the service area, including but not limited to scheduled rubbish collection Oxted contracts, ad hoc commercial rubbish removal, and on-site waste handling at client premises. Responsibilities are allocated to senior management, depot supervisors and individual operatives, with a clear chain of command to ensure accountability. Our approach emphasises hazard identification, risk assessment, training, and provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Objectives and expectations

The core objectives of the waste management Oxted safety programme are to:

• Eliminate or control hazards associated with container handling, vehicle movements and manual lifting;
• Provide routine training and competency checks for drivers and operatives;
• Maintain vehicles and plant to safe operating standards;
• Ensure safe segregation and storage of hazardous and non-hazardous waste;
• Encourage reporting of near misses and incidents to drive prevention.

Roles and responsibilities

The Board and senior managers are ultimately responsible for health and safety policy implementation and for allocating the necessary resources. Depot managers and supervisors must ensure daily operational compliance, toolbox talks and enforcement of site-specific rules. Individual employees and contractors have a duty to follow safe systems of work, wear required PPE, report unsafe situations and not to undertake tasks beyond their training.

Training and competence: Continuous training is central to safe rubbish collection and commercial waste removal. All new operatives receive induction covering hazards, safe lifting techniques, vehicle safety, and chemical awareness where relevant. Refresher training is provided annually or whenever work practices change. Records of training, certifications and medical fitness checks are maintained to demonstrate competence across the workforce.

Safe systems of work are documented for high-risk activities such as confined space entry in tanks, handling sharps and clinical waste, and working at height on compactors or balers. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated, and method statements are prepared where necessary. We require supervisors to verify that controls are in place before work starts and to stop work if safety is compromised.

Vehicle and plant safety are emphasised for any organisation operating commercial rubbish vehicles. Pre-shift vehicle checks, load restraint, reversing protocols and safe parking procedures are mandatory. Maintenance schedules are strictly monitored and recorded. Drivers must adhere to fatigue management and driver hours policies, and use telematics and safety equipment to reduce the risk of collisions and manual handling injuries.

Accident reporting and investigation: All incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported promptly through internal reporting systems. Investigations focus on root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Findings are shared with the team and incorporated into training and risk assessments to strengthen hazard controls and occupational safety culture.

Personal protective equipment and hygiene: Appropriate PPE such as gloves, hi-visibility clothing, safety boots and eye protection is provided and its use enforced. Additional protection is supplied for specialist tasks (e.g., respiratory protection for dust or bioaerosol exposure). Welfare facilities and hygiene protocols minimise contamination risks and support employee wellbeing while handling commercial waste in Oxted operations.

Contractor management and third parties

Contractors and subcontractors engaged for commercial waste services are required to demonstrate competence and to comply with this Health and Safety Policy. Pre-qualification checks, site inductions and clear communication of safe operating procedures ensure consistent standards across all parties. The company monitors contractor performance through audits and inspections.

Environmental protection and hazardous waste

Where hazardous materials are present, specific controls are applied to ensure safe containment, correct segregation, and lawful handling. Waste transfer notes and documentation support traceability. Spill kits, emergency response plans and training reduce the chance of environmental harm during waste collection and transfer activities.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: The effectiveness of this policy is monitored through audits, inspections, incident data and feedback from employees. Senior management review the policy annually or after significant changes to operations. Continuous improvement seeks to reduce risk exposure, enhance safety culture and adopt best practices within the commercial waste sector.

By integrating safety into every task and decision, Commercial Waste Oxted and associated rubbish services commit to protecting people, property and the environment while delivering reliable waste management solutions.