JW Litter Services Health and Safety Policy
Policy Statement
JW Litter Services is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors and other individuals affected by our activities. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our commitment to the prevention of accidents, injuries and the promotion of overall well-being during the course of all activities carried out by JW Litter Services.
Responsibilities
Jessica Windsor (proprietor), is responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe working environment, and for conducting site and working practices risk assessments.
Employees are responsible for following health and safety guidelines and for reporting hazards or concerns promptly. Employees should take reasonable care for their own health and safety.
Training
Employees will be instructed in safe working procedures and will be provided with JW Litter Services Health and Safety guidance documentation. Refresher training will be provided when necessary and site specific training will be provided at the beginning of any new site contract.
Equipment
All equipment will be checked and maintained on a regular basis by Jessica Windsor, and repaired or replaced immediately when faulty. Employees should report any damage to equipment immediately to Jessica Windsor.
Safety Procedures
Personal Care
- Personal protective equipment should be worn at all times.
- Employees will be provided with Hi-Visibility vests and work gloves.
- Sturdy boots, long trousers and weather appropriate outer clothing, such as waterproof trousers, should be worn.
- Hands should be cleaned thoroughly after handling equipment and before eating and drinking, either by using soap and water or anti-bacterial wipes provided.
Working on Site
- Exposure to weather conditions should be taken into consideration: sun screen should be used in hot weather, warm waterproof clothing worn in cold and wet weather, and care should be taken around trees during high winds.
- Most work is undertaken in car parks, in close proximity to moving vehicles; employees should therefore be aware of vehicles moving around them at all times.
- In order to hear moving vehicles, employees should not wear ear protectors or headphones.
- Employees should walk facing oncoming traffic on any roads contained within sites.
- Care should be taken to avoid trips and falls on uneven ground and kerbs.
- If workmen are carrying out maintenance works on a site, any cordoned-off areas should be avoided.
- Care should be taken around bushes and undergrowth to avoid scratches and cuts. If it is not possible to reach litter lying within undergrowth safely with the litter pickers, it should be left in place and reported to Jessica Windsor.
Travel Between Sites
- Driving between sites is a daily requirement – care must be taken whilst driving, employees should not drive whilst tired.
- ‘Do Not Travel’ weather warnings should be adhered to. If a weather warning is in place, employees should contact Jessica Windsor, who will inform clients of the situation.
Handling Waste
- Work gloves must be worn at all times when handling litter, including bagged litter.
- Litter should not be compressed using hands or feet as it may puncture clothing and skin.
- Litter pickers should be used rather than bending down to pick up litter, in order to prevent back injuries from repeated bending.
- Bin bags should not be overfilled to prevent back strain.
- Bulky or heavy items should not be lifted, these should be reported to Jessica Windsor as a bulk uplift.
- Avoid contact with the body when carrying plastic bin bags.
Hazardous Materials, Sharps and Spills
- Any biohazard materials, such as faeces, urine or used condoms, should be reported immediately to Jessica Windsor, who will contact the client. Their removal is treated as a separate job.
- Sharps should be disposed of in the rigid sharps box provided.
- Do not kneel down on the ground around the sharp.
- Use the cut resistant gloves and forceps, provided in the sharps kit, to carefully pick up the sharp; discard into the sharps container and close the lid.
- Report the sharp immediately to Jessica Windsor and return it to EH14 1QW for separate disposal – not in general waste.
- Employees should be aware that medical sharps can sometimes be found in cans or bottles.
- If an accident occurs where a needle or other sharp object punctures the skin, the injured person should:
- Gently encourage the wound to bleed, ideally holding it under running water.
- Wash the wound using running water and soap.
- Dry the wound and cover with waterproof plaster.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Contact Jessica Windsor as soon as possible.
- Broken glass should be wrapped in newspaper and placed in a cardboard box prior to disposal in general waste.
- Spills should be reported immediately to Jessica Windsor for specialist removal.
- If appropriate, the spill should be contained until specialist contractors arrive:
- Ensure PPE is used: safety goggles, apron, gloves.
- Use the absorbent socks from the spill kit to circle the area around the spill.
- Consider other ways in which the spill can spread, including stopping a leak if possible.
- Any drains in the spill area should be covered using a drain seal.
- Once the spill is contained, use absorbent pads, rolls or cushions to soak up the spill.
- Remove materials to be disposed of separately.
Jessica Windsor
JW Litter Services
28/2/2024