Green Waste Handling & Disposal Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Cold, wet weather and wind chill — Issue waterproof layered PPE and thermal gloves; keep spares available to change when soaked. Warm-up breaks in heated shelter with hot drinks; rotate cold-exposed tasks. Adjust pace, stop for lightning or severe gusts, and ensure vehicles provide emergency refuge.
• Cuts and punctures from hidden sharps — Require heavy-duty puncture-resistant gloves; never compress bags by hand. Tip out waste onto a controlled surface and rake through before handling. Provide sharps kits, rigid containers and first-aid; brief crews to stop work and report contaminated loads immediately.
• Traffic interface when loading at kerbside — Plan work for off-peak times; set advance warning signs and cones to create a protected work zone. Wear high-visibility clothing; keep operatives inside the zone and vehicles parked to shield the team. Use a lookout to pause works for passing traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Lifting operations with HIABs or telehandlers — Only competent, authorised operators; pre-use checks and lift plans for bulk bags or bins. Use certified slings and lifting points; keep exclusion zones and tag lines. Lift slowly, avoid slewing over people, and never exceed SWL. Communicate via hand signals or radios.
• Slips, trips and uneven ground — Survey routes before movement; clear trip hazards and mark holes, kerbs and slippery algae. Use anti-slip boots with ankle support; keep hands free by using trolleys where possible. Maintain tidy stacking, good lighting, and wet-weather protocols with slower pace and spotters.