Health and Safety Policy — Waste London

Waste London is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of its employees, contractors and the public while delivering responsible waste management in London. This policy sets out the core principles that govern our approach to occupational safety across all waste operations in the city. Our aim is to prevent work-related injury and ill health, reduce risk from operational activities, and promote a culture of safety and compliance. The policy applies to Waste London teams, partners, and any personnel engaged in waste collection, transfer, treatment and recycling activities.

Policy Objectives and Scope

The objectives of this health and safety policy are to: ensure safe systems of work for all London waste services; provide appropriate training and supervision; maintain plant and equipment in a safe condition; and continuously monitor performance to drive improvement. The scope covers operational depots, vehicle fleets, site-based facilities and off-site interactions with third-party partners. We recognise that managing risk in waste and recycling operations requires clear leadership, robust processes and active participation at every level of the organisation.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures
Risk identification and assessment underpin our safety programme. All activities are subject to a documented risk assessment process that identifies hazards, evaluates risk, and specifies controls. Controls include engineering measures, safe systems of work, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. Key control measures include:

• Permit-to-work procedures for high-risk tasks such as confined space entry and maintenance;
• Vehicle and loading zone procedures to reduce vehicle-related incidents in waste collection London operations;
• Use of appropriate PPE and mandatory training for handling hazardous materials;
• Scheduling and route planning designed to minimise lone-working and fatigue;
• Regular mechanical and electrical maintenance to ensure equipment integrity.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Competence is essential to safe performance. Waste London will provide targeted training and verification of competence for all roles considering specific risks associated with waste collection, transfer and treatment. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff follow safe systems of work and that refresher training is provided. We will maintain records of training, qualifications and authorisations for vehicle operators, plant operators and site personnel.

Incident Reporting, Investigation and Emergency Preparedness
All incidents, near misses and hazards must be reported promptly via our internal reporting arrangements. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence. Emergency response plans are in place for site incidents, fire, spill response and medical emergencies. First aid provision and emergency equipment are maintained at all operational locations and vehicle first aid kits are supplied for collection and transport crews.

Monitoring, Inspections and Continuous Improvement
We carry out planned site inspections, vehicle checks and operational audits to monitor compliance with this policy and to identify improvement opportunities across all waste and recycling in London activities. Performance indicators, such as incident frequency, training completion rates and audit findings, are reviewed by senior management to drive corrective actions and resource allocation. Continuous improvement is fostered through learning from incidents, industry best practice and stakeholder engagement.

Roles and Responsibilities
Management leadership is accountable for providing the resources, systems and culture needed to achieve health and safety objectives. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure safe working practices and that risk controls are followed. Employees are expected to work safely, use provided PPE, report hazards and participate in safety training. Contractors and suppliers engaged by Waste London must meet agreed safety standards and are required to cooperate with site-specific safety arrangements.

Contractor and Fleet Safety
Contractor management includes pre-qualification, induction and ongoing monitoring to ensure adherence to our safety requirements. Vehicle safety is paramount: fleet maintenance schedules, daily driver checks and safe loading practices reduce the likelihood of incidents during collection and transfer operations. Where subcontractors operate on behalf of Waste London, contractual terms require compliance with our health and safety expectations and evidence of adequate insurance and competency.

Implementation, Review and Governance
This health and safety policy is implemented through documented procedures, operational controls and regular management review. We will review this policy periodically and whenever significant changes to operations occur, ensuring it remains relevant to evolving risks in urban waste services. By embedding safety into everyday decisions, promoting accountability and supporting workforce engagement, we aim to deliver safe, sustainable and efficient waste services across London. Waste London is committed to promoting a proactive safety culture that protects people, the environment and the communities we serve.