Health and Safety Policy — Garden Clearance Westham

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Garden Clearance Westham to manage risks, protect staff, protect the public, and ensure safe garden waste and rubbish removal across our service area. The purpose of this document is to define responsibilities, controls and procedures for all activities related to garden clearance, including shrub and hedge removal, timber and green-waste hauling, and general rubbish clearance. It is the policy of the company to comply with relevant health and safety standards, to maintain a safe working environment and to continually improve our safety performance.

Policy Statement

Garden clearance and rubbish removal operations can present hazards such as manual handling injuries, slips and trips, contact with sharp objects, and exposure to hazardous substances. Garden Clearance Westham will take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or reduce these risks. This includes conducting risk assessments, providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring vehicle safety, and maintaining tools and equipment. All staff must follow the policies and procedures described here and report unsafe conditions promptly.

Scope and Application

The policy applies to every employee, contract worker, and authorised visitor involved in garden waste clearance, garden rubbish removal and associated activities across our operating area. It covers:

• Site assessments and pre-work inspections
• Safe handling and disposal of green waste, timber and general rubbish
• Use of powered tools, chainsaws, and mechanical loaders
• Vehicle loading, securement and transport of waste

All work will be carried out so far as is reasonably practicable in a manner that protects health and safety.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Prior to any clearance activity a formal risk assessment must be completed and recorded. Risk assessments will identify hazards, assess the likelihood and severity of harm, and assign control measures. Typical controls include exclusion zones, tool guards, appropriate lifting techniques, and traffic management when operating near roads. The use of manual handling aids, securing loads, and segregating waste types are standard measures. For hazardous materials or unknown containers discovered during clearance, work must stop and the item isolated until properly identified and disposed of.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — All operatives must be provided with and use appropriate PPE for the task. This includes, but is not limited to: high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for handling sharp or thorny material, eye protection, hearing protection for power tools, and sturdy footwear with toe protection. PPE is a last line of defence and must be used in conjunction with engineering and administrative controls.

Training and competence are essential. Staff will receive induction training covering our health and safety policy, safe systems of work for garden waste clearance, manual handling techniques, and vehicle loading procedures. Refresher training will be provided periodically and whenever new equipment or methods are introduced.

Equipment, vehicle and site maintenance are critical to safety. All garden clearance equipment, including chainsaws, shredders, and lifting equipment, must be inspected before use and subject to scheduled maintenance. Vehicles used for rubbish removal must be loaded and secured according to standards to prevent shifting loads and spillage during transit. Records of inspections and maintenance will be retained as part of our safety management system.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

In the event of an incident, operatives must follow the emergency response procedures: secure the area to prevent further harm, provide first aid within competency levels, and summon emergency services where required. First aid kits and trained first-aiders will be available on site or within company vehicles. All incidents, near misses and injuries must be recorded and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Environmental and waste handling controls are integral to our operations. Garden Clearance Westham is committed to proper segregation of green waste, recyclable materials and general rubbish. Hazardous or contaminated waste will be handled and disposed of in compliance with regulations. Spill kits and containment measures will be available for fuel or chemical spills. Where practicable, we will prioritise recycling and safe disposal routes to minimise environmental impact.

Responsibilities and Review

Management is responsible for ensuring adequate resources to implement this policy, for maintaining training and inspection programmes, and for monitoring compliance. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safe systems of work are followed on site and that operatives are competent. Employees are responsible for cooperating with procedures, using PPE, reporting hazards and participating in training. Non-compliance will be addressed promptly through corrective action and, if necessary, disciplinary measures.

Continuous improvement — This policy will be reviewed at least annually or following significant incidents, changes in legislation, or changes to work practices. Regular audits and safety meetings will inform improvements to our procedures for garden clearance services, rubbish removal operations and waste handling across the service area.

By applying these measures, Garden Clearance Westham aims to provide efficient, safe and responsible garden waste and rubbish removal services while protecting staff, the public and the environment.