Health and Safety Policy — Commercial Waste Queens Park
This Health and Safety policy sets out the approach and commitments of our commercial waste operations serving the Queens Park area and surrounding service zones. The policy is designed to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public from risks created by commercial refuse handling, rubbish collection and waste transfer activities. It explains our responsibilities, risk control measures and reporting procedures in plain terms so that everyone involved with our operations understands what is required.Scope and Purpose
The policy covers all aspects of our commercial waste services, including collections, on-site loading and unloading, storage, vehicle operation and segregation of materials. It applies to permanent staff, agency workers, contractors and authorized visitors to sites where commercial refuse and rubbish are handled. Our objective is to reduce incidents, prevent occupational ill-health and ensure compliance with applicable health and safety obligations in a consistent and auditable manner.
Core Principles
We adopt the following core principles across all operations:- Risk assessment — identify hazards associated with waste streams and workplace activities;
- Elimination and control — remove risks where practicable, and where not, apply engineering, administrative and PPE controls;
- Training and competence — ensure staff are trained, supervised and assessed for competence in rubbish collection tasks;
- Continuous improvement — review performance and update controls based on incidents, near misses and feedback.
Responsibilities
Management has the primary duty to provide a safe system of work, suitable equipment and adequate resources. Supervisors must ensure that operatives understand safe methods for handling commercial waste and refuse containers, that appropriate lifting aids are used and that vehicle loading is carried out safely. Employees and contractors share responsibility to follow instructions, report hazards and take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others.
Risk Assessment and Controls
We undertake formal risk assessments for all routine and non-routine tasks. Identified hazards include manual handling of bulky refuse, exposure to sharps and hazardous substances, moving vehicles, slips and trips, and interaction with the public. Control measures include:- Mechanical aids and trolleys to reduce manual handling;
- Segregation of hazardous or bulky items at source to prevent contamination of general commercial waste;
- Clear traffic management and exclusion zones during collections;
- Provision of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, hi‑vis clothing and protective footwear;
- Sharps containment and immediate reporting of needle-stick incidents.
Training, Competency and Supervision
We provide structured induction and ongoing training for staff involved in rubbish collection Queens Park operations. Training covers safe lifting techniques, hazardous materials awareness, vehicle safety procedures, emergency response and first aid. Supervisors conduct periodic competency checks and refresher sessions to ensure skills remain current. Records of training and certificates are maintained for audit purposes.Vehicle, Plant and Equipment Safety
All vehicles and plant used in commercial waste collection and transfer are maintained to a high standard and inspected according to a scheduled maintenance regime. Pre-use checks are mandatory before each shift. Vehicles are fitted with appropriate safety signage and reversing alarms. Equipment that becomes faulty or unsafe is removed from service until repaired. We also require that contractors operating on behalf of the business meet the same maintenance and inspection standards.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
Any accident, incident or near miss involving commercial rubbish or waste operations must be reported immediately. Reports are investigated to establish root causes and to identify remedial actions. Investigation outcomes are communicated to relevant staff and incorporated into training and risk assessments to prevent recurrence. We maintain records of incidents in line with statutory requirements and our internal policies.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
We maintain clear emergency procedures for fires, chemical spills, major vehicle incidents and medical emergencies. Emergency contact roles and responsibilities are assigned and displayed at operational sites. Regular drills are held to ensure readiness. In the event of a hazardous materials incident, our response plan prioritizes containment, evacuation if necessary and liaison with emergency services and environmental authorities.Monitoring, Audits and Performance
We monitor H&S performance using leading and lagging indicators such as training completion rates, near-miss reports and lost-time injuries. Regular site audits and operational inspections assess compliance with this policy and with industry best practice for commercial waste management. Findings from audits drive corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.Contractors and Suppliers — All third parties providing services related to commercial waste, rubbish collection or refuse handling are required to demonstrate adequate health and safety arrangements. We assess contractor risk, review their policies and verify that their staff are trained and competent. Contractual controls ensure that responsibilities are clear and enforceable.
