Company vehicle parked with skip being loaded, safety cones visible

Health and Safety Policy — Skip Hire Mill Hill

Skip Hire Mill Hill is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across its skip hire and waste removal operations. This policy outlines our approach to protecting employees, contractors, visitors and the public while providing reliable skip hire and rubbish collection services within our service area. The purpose is to set clear expectations, responsibilities and controls so that all activities are carried out safely and in compliance with statutory obligations.

Scope and Principles

Our policy covers all on-site and off-site activities including skip loading, transfer, transport and disposal. It applies to permanent staff, temporary workers and subcontractors engaged in skip hire, waste collection and rubbish company operations. We adopt a precautionary approach: risks will be identified, assessed and controlled using the hierarchy of control. Safety is a core value and will never be compromised in pursuit of operational targets. All personnel are expected to follow this policy and complete any required safety training.

Staff conducting a pre-job safety briefing before rubbish collection

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing the health and safety management system, providing resources and ensuring risk assessments are current. Supervisors must ensure safe systems of work are in place and followed. Employees and operatives must work safely, report hazards and cooperate with safety measures. The key responsibilities include:

Conducting regular risk assessments for skip hire, rubbish collection and waste transfer tasks;
Maintaining plant and vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition;
Providing and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE);
Reporting and investigating incidents and near-misses to prevent recurrence.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Before work begins, a documented risk assessment will identify hazards such as manual handling, traffic movement, hazardous waste, and working at height when loading skips. Controls will follow the standard hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Examples include designated loading zones to separate pedestrians and vehicles, wheel chocks and stabilisers on vehicles, and mechanical aids for heavy items. Any discovery of hazardous materials in bins or skips triggers a stop-work procedure and specialist handling.

Crew practicing spill response and first aid procedures

Operational Procedures

All operations will be performed to safe systems of work. Drivers and operatives must carry relevant route and site information and ensure that skips are placed and collected without obstructing public rights of way. Loading instructions must be followed to prevent overloading and spillage. For bulky or awkward loads, teams will use correct lifting techniques and lifting aids. The company promotes the use of documented job safety briefings for complex collections and large waste clearance jobs.

Worker using mechanical aid to lift heavy items into a skip

Training and Competence

Skip hire and waste disposal personnel receive induction training and periodic updates that cover manual handling, safe driving, hazardous waste awareness, confined spaces (if applicable) and emergency procedures. Training records are maintained and competence is reassessed where duties change or new equipment is introduced. Supervisors must ensure that operatives are competent for the tasks they undertake and that visitors are given adequate instruction and supervision.

Vehicle and Plant Safety

Vehicles and plant used in our rubbish collection and skip delivery services are subject to routine inspections, maintenance schedules and pre-shift checks. Drivers are required to perform walk-around checks and log any defects immediately. Loads must be secured and covered where necessary to prevent debris falling onto the highway. Road safety is integral to our operations and policies on driving hours, load limits and vehicle condition are strictly enforced.

Supervisor reviewing safety checklist and maintenance records

Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

All incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported promptly. Incidents are investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Learning from incidents is integrated into training and operational procedures to reduce recurrence. Periodic audits and performance reviews ensure the health and safety management system remains effective. The company will set measurable objectives to continually improve safety performance across the waste removal and skip hire service area.

Emergency Preparedness and First Aid

Emergency procedures are in place for fire, chemical spills and medical incidents. First aid kits are available at operational sites and key personnel are trained in first aid response. Emergency contact arrangements are maintained so that emergency services and responsible managers can be alerted quickly. Evacuation routes and assembly points are clearly marked at premises used for vehicle maintenance, skip storage and administration.

Contractors and Third Parties

Where subcontractors are engaged for waste transfer, disposal or specialist removal, they must demonstrate compliance with this policy and relevant legal requirements. Contracts will include clear provisions on responsibilities, permit-to-work systems and methods to control hazardous activities. Before work commences, a review of competence, insurance and permits will be undertaken.

Review and Policy Ownership This Health and Safety Policy is owned by senior management and will be reviewed annually or when significant changes occur in operations, legislation or technology. Compliance with the policy is mandatory and non-conformance may lead to disciplinary action. By adhering to these principles, Skip Hire Mill Hill aims to deliver safe, reliable skip hire and rubbish collection across its service area while protecting people and the environment.