Health and Safety Policy — Garden Clearance New Cross

Garden Clearance New Cross is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all staff, contractors and members of the public affected by our garden clearance and rubbish collection operations. This policy explains our approach to health and safety across our clearance, waste removal and site preparation activities and aligns with best practice for a rubbish company operating in our service area. The aim is to prevent injury and ill health, reduce environmental risks and ensure everyone understands their responsibilities.

Scope and Objectives

This policy covers all activities carried out by the business, including garden rubbish clearance, vegetation removal, skipless and container-based rubbish removal service, and safe handling of mixed materials. Our objectives are to:

• Provide clear responsibilities for management and staff
• Identify and assess hazards that arise during clearance works
• Implement controls to eliminate or reduce risk
• Maintain a compliant, well-trained workforce for the rubbish company service area

Management has the ultimate responsibility to ensure that safe systems are in place and adequately resourced. Supervisors must carry out day-to-day safety oversight, while all employees and contractors are required to follow safe working practices, use issued PPE and report hazards promptly. We expect every team member to be proactive: raise near-misses, participate in risk assessments and complete delegated training for safe manual handling and plant operation. This shared responsibility is central to our rubbish removal and clearance operations.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

All site activities are preceded by a documented risk assessment that identifies potential hazards such as slips, trips and falls, manual handling, sharp objects, asbestos risk indicators, hazardous liquids and wildlife. Control measures include site segregation, engineered controls, signage, designated pedestrian routes and exclusion zones around powered tools and machinery. We apply the hierarchy of controls: eliminate where feasible, substitute, apply engineering, implement administrative controls and ensure appropriate PPE.

When handling garden waste and general rubbish, particular attention is paid to segregation, containment and correct disposal routes. Hazardous items such as contaminated soil, chemical residues, treated timber and sharp objects are identified and isolated. Staff receive training on identification and safe handling; items requiring specialist disposal are stored securely and handed to licensed waste carriers. Our approach minimises cross-contamination and supports environmental stewardship across the rubbish company service area.

Plant, vehicles and tools used for clearance work are subject to regular inspection and maintenance. Drivers and operators receive competency checks and must follow vehicle loading limits and securement procedures. Traffic management plans are implemented on sites where vehicle movements pose a risk; banksmen and high-visibility clothing are used where necessary. The company enforces safe use of chainsaws, shredders and brushcutters, and prohibits use of equipment without proper guarding or certification.

Manual handling protocols reduce musculoskeletal injury risk through mechanical aids, two-person lifts and correct lifting techniques. We provide lifting aids, trolleys and wheeled bins where possible, and require team members to assess loads before lifting. Additional measures include rotating tasks, limiting exposure to repetitive activities and conducting pre-shift warm-ups. Occupational health considerations, including hydration, sun protection and cold-weather working guidance, are included in daily briefings.

Emergency preparedness includes accessible first aid kits, trained first-aiders and clear reporting procedures for incidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences. Fire awareness, evacuation routes and action plans for significant spills or exposure incidents are part of every site induction. We maintain incident records, investigate causes and apply corrective actions promptly. Reporting and investigation drive continuous improvement across our garden clearance and rubbish removal operations.

Training and competence are central to our policy. All employees undertake induction training tailored to their role, with refresher courses, toolbox talks and assessment of practical skills. Topics include safe use of PPE, manual handling, hazardous waste awareness, machinery operation and safe vehicle use. Supervision and ongoing assessment ensure that knowledge is applied on site and that staff remain capable of delivering a safe rubbish clearance service.

Monitoring and review processes include planned safety audits, random spot checks and consultation with staff to identify improvements. Performance indicators such as incident frequency, near-miss reports and completed training sessions are reviewed by management. Where deficiencies are found we implement corrective actions and communicate lessons learned. The policy is reviewed annually or following a significant incident to ensure it remains effective and suitable for our operational needs.

Visitors and subcontractors engaged to support garden clearance must comply with our safety requirements. Before starting work they receive a site-specific induction and must demonstrate relevant competence. Contractual arrangements include clear expectations for safety, and the company reserves the right to suspend work that presents undue risk. Our aim is consistent standards across all partners operating within the rubbish company service area.

Garden Clearance New Cross is committed to continuous improvement. This policy will be communicated to all employees, displayed where appropriate and made available to stakeholders on request. By implementing these measures we create a safer workplace and a reliable, compliant rubbish clearance and garden waste removal service. Signed on behalf of management: the policy is endorsed at the highest level and will be maintained as an integral part of our business operations.