Health and Safety Policy — Garden Clearance Croydon

Purpose: This policy sets out the approach of Garden Clearance Croydon to maintaining safe working environments for staff, contractors and the public while delivering garden clearance and associated waste collection services. It is intended to protect people and property across our rubbish company service area and to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety obligations without over‑specifying local legal details.

Scope and Commitment

We are committed to reducing risk and preventing harm during all aspects of green waste removal, garden waste clearance and general site tidy services. Scope covers operational tasks from initial site assessment through to vehicle loading, transportation and authorised disposal within our rubbish removal service area. The organisation will allocate sufficient resources to maintain safe systems of work, provide appropriate training and ensure that equipment and vehicles are maintained to a high standard.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

All operations begin with a documented risk assessment and method statement tailored to each job in the waste collection area. These assessments identify hazards such as manual handling, sharp objects, biological waste, use of powered tools and traffic risks around vehicles. Control measures will include safe handling techniques, use of PPE, designated exclusion zones and traffic management where necessary. Controls will be monitored and updated regularly to reflect experience, seasonal risks and changes in the rubbish clearance zone.

Roles, Responsibilities and Supervision

The management team has overall responsibility for health and safety policy implementation and for ensuring the rubbish removal service area operates safely. Supervisors will:

• Ensure that staff follow safety procedures and use PPE.
• Coordinate site inductions and briefings for every job.
• Maintain records of training, inspections and incidents.

Employees and subcontractors are expected to co‑operate with safety procedures, report hazards and use provided safety equipment. Everyone is accountable for working safely and for intervening or stopping work where serious risk is observed.

Training, Competence and Communication

We will provide refresher and induction training covering manual handling, hazardous waste recognition, traffic safety, chemical awareness and correct equipment use. Staff competence for specific roles (e.g., vehicle drivers, machine operators) will be verified and documented. Communication measures include toolbox talks, written procedures and visible signage on site. Training supports our aim to be a trusted local waste removal service and to maintain best practice across our service coverage.

Equipment, Vehicles and Maintenance All tools and vehicles used in garden clearance and green waste removal will be subject to scheduled maintenance and pre‑use checks. Only authorised and trained personnel will operate powered equipment. PPE such as gloves, safety boots, high‑visibility clothing and eye protection are mandatory for operations in the rubbish removal service area. Fuel and waste storage is controlled to prevent contamination and reduce environmental risk.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Response All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately. An incident register will be maintained and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Emergency plans cover first aid, fire response and dealing with hazardous material exposure. The policy emphasises rapid response, appropriate medical attention and learning from incidents to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, Inspection and Continuous Improvement Regular workplace inspections, vehicle checks and periodic audits are part of our commitment to continuous improvement across the rubbish company service area. Findings will be recorded, acted upon and reviewed by management. Key performance indicators include incident rates, training completion and timely rectification of hazards. Where trends are identified, additional controls or training will be introduced to strengthen safety performance.

Policy Review, Implementation and Accountability This health and safety policy will be reviewed at least annually or when significant changes to operations occur. The review process includes consultation with staff and contractors to ensure practical and effective controls remain in place. Implementation is mandatory for all personnel engaged in garden clearance and related services. Failure to comply with safety requirements may lead to disciplinary action to protect team members and the public. Garden clearance, waste collection and removal activities must be conducted safely and responsibly across our service area.