Health and Safety Policy for Commercial Waste Removal Edmonton

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the arrangements and standards for safe operation by our commercial waste removal teams across the service area. It applies to all activities related to commercial waste removal, including collection, transfer, handling and temporary storage of materials at customer sites and in company vehicles. The policy aims to protect workers, contractors, site visitors and members of the public while ensuring regulatory compliance and effective risk control for commercial rubbish removal operations.

The scope of the policy covers operational staff, supervisors, drivers, depot personnel and subcontractors engaged in rubbish collection Edmonton services and related duties. It includes routine collections, ad-hoc clearances, scheduled commercial pickups and any ancillary tasks performed within customer service areas. All personnel must follow the procedures and controls described here and participate in training, monitoring and review activities.

Responsibilities: Management is accountable for providing resources, competent supervision and documented systems that reduce harm. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring safe systems of work are implemented. Employees and contractors must follow instructions, use provided protective equipment and report hazards. Visitors and client representatives must comply with site rules while on premises where commercial rubbish removal is taking place.

Risk assessment is central to our approach. Systematic workplace risk assessments identify hazards such as manual handling, moving vehicles, sharps, hazardous substances, and unstable loads. Controls are implemented using the hierarchy of risk control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). Records of assessments are maintained and reviewed whenever work changes or a new hazard is identified.

PPE requirements include gloves, hi-vis clothing, safety boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where appropriate. Training covers correct selection and use of PPE, safe lifting techniques and the recognition of hazardous materials. Strong emphasis is placed on the correct use of mechanical aids, team lifts and avoiding solo lifts of heavy items encountered during commercial rubbish removal.

Safe systems of work

Work instructions and standard operating procedures define safe methods for load segregation, securement, containment and vehicle loading. Hazardous and controlled wastes are identified, segregated and transported in accordance with established segregation protocols to prevent cross-contamination and spills. Staff must follow isolation procedures when working near traffic, and use appropriate signage and barriers to protect the public during collections.

Vehicle safety measures include routine pre-start checks, securement of loads, proper maintenance of tail-lifts and hoists, and driver competence assessments. Loading and unloading protocols require clearance of pinch points, use of spotters where visibility is restricted and avoidance of overhanging loads. Our drivers operate to safe speed limits and follow route risk assessments, particularly in confined or busy commercial sites.

Emergency procedures are in place for spills, fires, medical incidents and site incidents. Spill kits, fire extinguishers and first aid supplies are available in vehicles and depots. Staff receive training in spill containment, basic first aid and emergency communication. If there is an uncontrolled release, the priority is to isolate the area, protect people and notify the designated incident lead.

Incident reporting and investigation procedures require all near-misses, injuries and property damage to be reported promptly. Investigations identify root causes and assign corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Records are retained in accordance with company policy and regulatory requirements, and findings are shared in toolbox talks to support continuous learning across the commercial waste removal team.

Our environmental controls focus on segregation for reuse, recycling and disposal, minimising landfill where possible. Prohibited items such as unidentified chemical containers, friable asbestos, or other controlled hazardous wastes must not be accepted during routine rubbish collections; these require specialist handling. Waste handling instructions specify container types, labeling and segregation protocols to reduce contamination and environmental risk.

Training and competence development are ongoing. Induction, refresher courses and competency checks ensure that personnel remain proficient in safe handling, waste classification, vehicle safety and emergency response. Supervisors conduct regular safety observations and performance checks to reinforce safe behaviours and identify training needs for commercial rubbish removal tasks.

Monitoring and audit processes review compliance with this policy. Key performance indicators include incident rates, completion of risk assessments, PPE compliance and audit findings. Management reviews policy effectiveness at defined intervals and after significant incidents. Continuous improvement is driven by corrective actions, staff feedback and lessons learned from operational reviews.

Health surveillance is provided where exposure risks require it, and support is available for employees affected by work-related incidents. The policy promotes a safety culture in which every person is empowered to stop unsafe work and raise concerns without fear of reprisal. Communication channels include toolbox talks, briefings and documented safe work instructions.

Key commitments:

• Prevent injuries and ill health through robust risk control and training
• Comply with applicable health, safety and environmental obligations
• Maintain clear responsibilities and accountability for safe commercial waste removal
• Continuously improve performance via audits, reviews and corrective actions

The policy is reviewed periodically and updated as operations, legislation or best practice evolve. It forms the baseline for site-specific rules and safe work procedures for all commercial rubbish removal and waste collection activities within our service area. All staff, contractors and partners must read, understand and apply this policy as a condition of work.