Health and Safety Policy for Rubbish Sucks

Rubbish Sucks is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of its staff, contractors and the public while carrying out waste removal and clearance activities. This policy sets out clear expectations for safe working, hazard control, training and continuous improvement across all Rubbish Sucks operations. It applies to every person working for or on behalf of the company, including temporary labour and subcontractors engaged by rubbish-sucks teams.

Company Commitment and Objectives

Our primary objective is to prevent accidents, occupational illness and environmental harm during any Rubbish Sucks service delivery. Managers will ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to risk control, safe systems of work, and employee welfare. We will: identify hazards, assess risks, implement controls, provide training and maintain equipment. The policy promotes a proactive safety culture where hazards are reported and resolved quickly.

Responsibilities and Leadership

Leadership at all levels must demonstrate visible commitment to safety. Supervisors and the RubbishSucks team are responsible for enforcing safe work practices, conducting site briefings and ensuring that specified control measures are followed. Employees are required to cooperate, follow instructions, use provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and participate in safety training. Everyone has the authority to stop unsafe work and must report hazards and near-misses without fear of reprisal.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Before work begins, a competent person will carry out risk assessments tailored to each task. Control measures will follow the hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Typical controls for rubbish removal include:

• Safe manual handling procedures and mechanical aids to reduce strain;
• Segregation and clear labelling of waste streams, including bulky, recyclable and potentially hazardous items;
• Use of gloves, high visibility clothing, protective footwear and eye protection as required;
• Secure loading practices for vehicles and safe access arrangements at sites.

Training and Competence: All staff will receive induction training and role-specific instruction. Training covers manual handling, traffic awareness, safe vehicle loading, hazardous item identification, and emergency procedures. Refresher training will be provided periodically and when new equipment or processes are introduced. Competence assessments ensure that every person engaged in rubbish-sucks work remains capable and confident to perform tasks safely.

Vehicle and Site Safety: Vehicles used by Rubbish Sucks services are maintained to a standard that supports safe operation. Drivers must conduct pre-shift checks and follow secure loading practices. On-site, work zones will be established to separate pedestrians, vehicle movements and manual handling activities. Traffic management plans and visible signage reduce the risk of collisions during collections and clearances.

Handling Hazardous Materials: When encountering potentially hazardous items such as solvents, batteries, asbestos suspect materials or medical waste, staff must follow designated procedures. These include isolating the item, notifying a competent coordinator and arranging specialist removal where necessary. The company will ensure access to approved storage containers and documentation for any hazardous consignments, and will never tolerate ad hoc disposal that could create wider risks.

Incident Reporting, Investigation and Emergency Response: All incidents, injuries and near-misses must be reported promptly. The Rubbish Sucks incident process encourages timely investigation to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Emergency procedures will be in place for fire, spillage or personal injury, and employees will be trained in first aid and appropriate emergency response. Records of incidents and actions taken support continuous improvement.

Health, Wellbeing and Welfare: The policy recognises the importance of employee wellbeing. Provision is made for rest breaks, hydration, and facilities to reduce fatigue and stress. Occupational health considerations such as vaccination programs, medical surveillance for relevant roles, and measures to limit exposure to dust, fumes and biological hazards form part of our approach.

Monitoring, Audit and Review: The effectiveness of this health and safety policy will be checked through regular inspections, audits and reviews. Performance indicators, including near-miss frequency, training completion and vehicle checks, will be tracked. Management will review this policy at appropriate intervals and after significant incidents to ensure it remains relevant and effective for all Rubbish Sucks operations.

This policy sets out the expectations and standards for safe waste removal by the Rubbish Sucks team. It is supported by operational procedures and training material that translate objectives into practical, day-to-day actions. By working together and maintaining a strong safety culture, our people can deliver efficient rubbish removal while protecting themselves, the public and the environment.