Health and Safety Policy for Garden Clearance Feltham

Purpose and scope: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the obligations, standards and procedures that apply to our garden clearance and rubbish removal activities in the service area. The policy covers all routine and non-routine operations associated with garden waste clearance, hedge and shrub removal, soil and green waste handling, and general rubbish disposal. Our aim is to prevent injury and ill health, protect the environment and ensure that every job is planned and executed with safety as the priority. All employees, contractors and site visitors are expected to follow these measures.

Policy statement: We are committed to providing a safe working environment and to managing risks proportionately for garden clearance, green waste collection and general rubbish clearance services. The company will comply with relevant health and safety regulations and industry best practices, maintain safe equipment and vehicles, and ensure competent supervision of work. Safety is not optional; it is integral to every contract, whether a single driveway tidy-up or a larger clearance project within our service area.

Responsibilities: Management will ensure adequate resources for health and safety, appoint competent persons for risk assessments, and maintain records of training and incidents. Supervisors are responsible for implementing safe systems of work and ensuring that operatives follow the documented procedures for safe rubbish removal and site setup. Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety, report hazards promptly, and use specified personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, boots, eye protection and high-visibility clothing.

Risk assessment and planning: Every task will be assessed before work begins. A dynamic risk assessment is required at the start of each site visit to identify hazards such as sharp objects, hidden asbestos, contaminated soils or unstable structures. Control measures will be put in place, including cordons, signage and traffic management where vehicles are present. Work will be scheduled to avoid lone working where practicable, and the plan will specify waste segregation points and safe access routes for removal crews.

Equipment and vehicle safety: Tools and machinery used in garden clearance and rubbish collection—cutters, shredders, chainsaws, loaders and vans—will be inspected and maintained to a safe standard. Operators must be trained and, when required, certified. Vehicle loading limits must not be exceeded and loads will be secured to prevent spillage during transit. Pre-use checks are mandatory at the start of each shift and any defects are to be reported immediately.

Manual handling and PPE: Manual handling risk is high in garden waste removal. Teams will follow safe lifting techniques, use mechanical aids for bulky items, and rotate tasks to reduce repetitive strain. PPE requirements will be task-specific and include gloves resistant to puncture, steel-toe boots, eye protection and hearing protection where machinery runs. Respiratory protection will be used if dust or airborne contaminants are present. Regular training reinforces correct PPE selection, fitting and maintenance.

Emergency procedures and first aid: Sites will have clearly defined emergency arrangements. First aid kits and trained first aiders will be available on larger jobs. Incidents, near misses and hazardous discoveries (for example suspected asbestos or contaminated materials) must be reported immediately using the established reporting route so that the situation can be controlled and appropriate agencies notified if required. Spill kits are provided for accidental fuel or chemical spills and staff are trained in containment and clean-up.

Environmental controls and waste handling: Waste segregation is essential: green waste, recyclable materials and general rubbish must be separated to reduce landfill and promote recycling. Hazardous wastes will be identified and handled in accordance with legal requirements, with secure storage and licensed disposal. Vehicle routes and loading operations will be managed to minimise dust, noise and disturbance. Regular audits ensure environmental compliance across the rubbish collection service area.

Training, contractor management and reporting: All employees will receive induction training and periodic refresher courses covering risk assessment, manual handling, equipment operation and emergency response. Contractors working on behalf of the company must provide evidence of competency and insurance and will be subject to the same safety standards. Incidents and near misses are investigated promptly to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Key safety performance indicators are monitored and reported to senior management.

Review and continuous improvement: This policy will be reviewed at least annually or whenever a significant change to operations occurs. Audits, staff feedback and incident analyses drive continual improvement. The company seeks to embed a safety culture where every team member feels empowered to speak up about hazards and to suggest improvements. Our commitment is to deliver safe, reliable and compliant garden clearance and rubbish removal services throughout the service area while minimising risk to people and the environment.

Implementation and acceptance: The policy is communicated to all staff and relevant stakeholders. Compliance is mandatory and forms part of contract terms for contractors and sub-contractors. Failure to comply with safety requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from site. The overall responsibility for execution rests with senior management; day-to-day adherence is a shared responsibility across the team.

Signed on behalf of the company: This document represents the policy at the date of issue and is supported by accompanying procedures and risk assessments that translate these principles into practical controls used during every garden clearance and rubbish removal activity. Everyone involved in operations is expected to read, understand and apply this policy to ensure the safest possible working environment.