Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Kings Cross

Skip Hire Kings Cross is committed to delivering safe, reliable skip hire and rubbish removal services across its service area. This policy outlines the standards, responsibilities and operating practices that govern our waste collection and skip hire operations. It applies to all employees, contractors and any personnel working on our behalf. The aim is to prevent injury, protect health and reduce environmental harm by applying consistent, risk-based controls to day-to-day activities.

Policy scope and objectives

Our objectives are to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety obligations, maintain safe working systems and provide clear accountability for safety performance. The policy covers site safety, vehicle operations, manual handling during skip loading, segregation of waste types, safe disposal and interaction with customers and the public. All activities involving skip hire services, rubbish collection and waste transfer must adhere to the principles set out below.

We will provide the necessary resources, training and supervision so that operations are carried out safely. Responsibilities include:

• Management: implement and review safety systems.
• Supervisors: enforce safe working procedures and supervise contractors.
• Employees and contractors: follow procedures, use PPE and report hazards promptly.

Strong leadership and worker engagement are essential to maintain a positive safety culture.

Risk assessment, safe systems and training

All tasks will be subject to documented risk assessments and safe systems of work. These assessments identify hazards such as manual handling injuries, vehicle movements, slips, trips and falls, and exposure to hazardous materials. Control measures will be implemented following the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures and PPE. Regular training and refresher sessions will ensure competence in handling different types of waste and correct skip loading techniques.

Equipment and maintenance: vehicles, lifting gear, tail lifts and skip chains will be inspected and maintained on a scheduled basis. Only trained personnel will operate lifting equipment and vehicle-mounted devices. Records of inspections, servicing and any remedial actions will be retained as part of our compliance management.

Hazardous and specialist wastes require specific procedures for identification, containment and transfer. Waste streams will be segregated at collection, labelled when required and transported under appropriate controls. Our waste handling procedures aim to protect workers and the environment while ensuring legal obligations for hazardous substances are met.

Vehicle and site safety form a critical part of our operations. Drivers and loaders will follow defined site arrival and departure protocols, maintain exclusion zones during loading, and use high-visibility clothing, gloves and footwear. Traffic management plans will be used when deliveries or collections affect public footways or roads. Loading procedures include correct positioning of the skip, even distribution of loads and avoiding overfilling to prevent spillage during transit.

Manual handling measures include using mechanical aids where practicable, team lifts for heavy items and clear guidance on posture and techniques. Job rotation and rest breaks reduce repetitive strain risks. First aid provision and access to emergency arrangements will be clearly communicated to all staff and maintained on sites where skip hire activities occur.

Incident reporting and emergency response: all incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately. Incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Emergency procedures cover spill response, fire, personal injury and severe weather events. We commit to learning from incidents and sharing lessons to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring and performance: key performance indicators for safety and environmental performance will be tracked, including incident rates, audit findings and completion of mandatory training. Regular site audits and toolbox talks will reinforce safe behaviors and identify opportunities for improvement. Contractors engaged for skip hire or waste services must demonstrate equivalent safety standards before appointment.

Environmental protection and waste minimisation are intrinsic to our service approach. Wherever possible we promote recycling, correct segregation and the use of authorised transfer stations. Controls are in place to prevent contamination, reduce litter and ensure that waste is transported and disposed of responsibly.

Review and continuous improvement: this policy will be reviewed at least annually and after any significant incident or change in legislation or operations. All personnel are encouraged to contribute suggestions to improve safety, efficiency and environmental performance. Skip hire providers and rubbish removal teams operating within our remit must align with this policy and assist in its implementation. By doing so we protect people, property and the environment while delivering dependable waste management services.