Health and Safety Policy for Garden Clearance Brimsdown

Garden Clearance Brimsdown is committed to providing a safe working environment for all employees, contractors and members of the public affected by our operations. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and arrangements for managing risks associated with garden clearance, rubbish removal and related waste clearance activities across our service area. The policy applies to all tasks including vegetative clearance, timber and green waste removal, bulky rubbish handling and site tidy-up work.

Policy aims and responsibilities

The primary aims are to prevent injury and ill-health, to reduce environmental impacts and to ensure compliance with commonly accepted safety standards. Senior management has overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring this policy. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring safe systems of work are followed on the ground. Every worker has a duty to work safely, report hazards and use the protective equipment provided. The policy covers general rubbish collection, Brimsdown garden clearance projects and temporary works carried out within our service area.

This document should be read in conjunction with safe working procedures and risk assessments prepared for specific jobs. It is not a substitute for dynamic risk assessment at the point of work. Staff must be familiar with the contents, attend relevant training, and participate in toolbox talks before engaging in garden waste removal or bulky rubbish clearance tasks.

Risk assessment and safe systems of work

All job sites will undergo a formal risk assessment prior to starting operations. Assessments will identify hazards such as sharp objects, contaminated waste, unstable structures, hazardous plants, insect nests and vehicle movements. Controls will be implemented using the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). Specific measures for garden clearance include cordoning off areas, using mechanical aids for heavy loads, and safe disposal routes for green waste and general rubbish.

Where mechanical tools are used, operators must follow manufacturer guidance and verified safe systems. A pre-start equipment check is required for chainsaws, shredders, chipper units and trailers. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate high-risk plant. For rubbish clearance tasks involving mixed domestic or commercial waste, staff must identify suspect hazardous items (e.g. asbestos, contaminated liquids, sharp medical waste) and isolate them for specialist handling.

To support consistent practice we maintain written method statements for common tasks. These set out step-by-step controls, required PPE and emergency arrangements. They form the basis of site briefings and are reviewed after incidents or when work methods change.

Training, PPE and equipment

All personnel engaged in garden clearance or rubbish clearance activities receive induction training and periodic refresher training appropriate to their roles. Training covers manual handling, the safe use of cutting tools, vehicle loading and unloading, fire risk awareness and first aid. Supervisors receive additional instruction in risk assessment, incident investigation and contractor management.

Personal protective equipment is supplied and must be worn as directed. Typical PPE includes high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for handling waste and sharp objects, steel-toe footwear, eye and ear protection, and respiratory protection where dust or bioaerosols are likely. PPE is considered the last line of defence and is used in combination with engineering and administrative controls.

We maintain a program of equipment maintenance and inspection to ensure tools, vehicles and trailers used for garden waste collection and rubbish removal remain in safe condition. Vehicles are loaded to safe limits, secured and driven in accordance with defensive driving practices. Loading/unloading procedures aim to minimise manual lifting through the use of ramps, dollies and mechanical lifting aids.

Incident reporting, first aid and emergency response

All incidents, near misses and hazardous observations must be reported immediately and recorded. An investigation will determine root causes and corrective actions to prevent recurrence. First aid arrangements are in place with trained first aiders on site or on-call where required. Emergency procedures include rapid access for emergency services, spill containment for hazardous liquids and clear communication channels during major incidents.

Waste segregation is enforced to reduce environmental and health risks. Recyclable green waste is separated from mixed rubbish and hazardous materials are handled by trained personnel or transferred to licensed carriers. Sharp objects and potentially infectious waste are identified and contained in suitable containers to protect workers and handlers downstream.

Key control measures and obligations include:

• Conduct and document site-specific risk assessments before work commences
• Provide and wear appropriate PPE for garden waste and rubbish removal tasks
• Ensure all plant and tools are inspected and maintained
• Deliver training and supervision suitable to the hazards present
• Report, record and investigate all incidents and near misses

Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all those working on garden clearance and rubbish removal operations within our service area. Management will monitor performance through inspections, audits and review of incident trends. This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if statutory changes, significant incidents or operational changes require it.

Commitment: We are committed to continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance. By following the controls set out here and maintaining open communication, we aim to protect our people, clients and the communities where we operate from harm associated with garden clearance and rubbish clearance work.