Health and Safety Policy for Council Largeitem Collection

Purpose: This policy sets out the health and safety approach for the council's large item collection service. It applies to all staff, contractors and authorised partners involved in bulky waste and large-item collection operations. The aim is to reduce risk, protect workers and the public, and maintain safe working practices for every stage of the bulky item pickup process.

Scope: The policy covers routine doorstep collections, scheduled bulky waste pickups, temporary drop-off points and associated vehicle operations. It also applies to handling of household items, furniture, mattresses, white goods and other designated items collected through the council bulky item collection scheme. Everyone engaged in the large item collection programme must follow the procedures described here.

Principles: The service will be delivered on the basis of risk assessment, safe systems of work, and clear allocation of responsibilities. Managers will ensure adequate resources for safety, staff will be trained and competent, and supervisors will monitor compliance. The council largeitem collection must prioritise safe manual handling, correct use of equipment, and preventing public hazards.

Responsibilities and Organisation

Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing the large item collection safety policy, conducting regular risk assessments and ensuring that systems are in place to support safe bulky-item collection activities. Staff and contractors are responsible for following instructions, reporting hazards and using personal protective equipment (PPE). The large item collection service will maintain documented procedures and keep records of training, incidents and inspections.

Risk Assessment and Control: All collection routes and drop-off locations must be subject to written risk assessments. Controls should include safe lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids (trolleys, tail-lifts), secure loading procedures and clear segregation of hazardous items. A hierarchy of controls will be followed: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures and PPE. Staff must not attempt lifts beyond their capability and must request assistance for heavy or awkward items.

Safe Working Procedures: The large-item collection teams will follow standard operating procedures that cover manual handling, vehicle reversing and loading, securing loads, traffic management, and interaction with the public. Where necessary, bulky item pickup operations will be supported by traffic cones, signage and a second crew member to manage pedestrian movement and prevent slips, trips and falls.

Training, Equipment and Personal Safety

Training is mandatory for all staff and contractors engaged in the council bulky waste collection. Training topics include manual handling, PPE use, safe vehicle operation, identifying hazardous waste and emergency procedures. Records of competency must be maintained and refresher training scheduled periodically. Supervisors will monitor competency and ensure that new staff receive induction training before work commences.

Personal Protective Equipment and Tools: Appropriate PPE, such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety boots and back supports, will be provided and used. Mechanical aids, including sack trucks and lifting straps, should be used wherever possible to minimise manual handling. All equipment must be inspected and maintained; faulty kit must be removed from service immediately.

Hazardous Materials and Waste Segregation: Items suspected of containing hazardous materials (asbestos, chemicals, gas cylinders, oils, solvents, batteries) must be identified and segregated. The large item collection policy requires that such materials are not accepted at routine pickups and are handled according to specialist hazardous waste procedures. Staff must use caution and report suspected hazardous items for specialist removal.

Incident Reporting, Monitoring and Review

All incidents, near misses and safety concerns must be reported promptly through the council's incident reporting system. Investigations will identify root causes and corrective actions. Lessons learned will be shared across teams to prevent recurrence. Regular safety inspections, route reviews and audits will ensure continual improvement of the collection service.

Performance Measures: The large-item collection programme will monitor safety performance using indicators such as incident frequency, training completion rates, equipment inspection records and compliance with safe systems of work. Management will review these indicators at scheduled intervals and implement improvements where necessary.

Review: This health and safety policy will be reviewed at least annually or after any significant incident, operational change or new hazard identification. Reviews will consider changes to collection methods, vehicle types, staffing levels and community needs. The goal is to ensure that the bulky item collection remains safe, efficient and responsive to evolving risks.

Communications and Community Safety

Clear communication with residents about acceptable items, collection arrangements and safety expectations supports safer operations. Staff will be trained to manage interactions professionally, and to provide clear instructions to the public when bulk items pose a hazard. Public access to collection sites should be controlled during active operations to avoid accidents.

Final Note: The council's bulky item collection and large-item collection services place safety at the centre of their operations. Through trained personnel, proper equipment, disciplined procedures and ongoing review, the service aims to protect workers, the public and the environment while delivering an effective bulky waste collection programme.

Policy adoption and compliance are mandatory for all those involved in the collection and handling of large household items. Continuous commitment to these standards will help maintain a safe and sustainable service.