Green Waste Handling & Disposal Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Dust inhalation during loading and sweeping — Use damping (misting) during sweeping and loading; avoid dry tipping from height. Choose mechanical sweepers with onboard extraction. Provide FFP2/FFP3 respirators, enforce engine-off near sweep zones, and rotate tasks to reduce exposure duration for individuals.
• 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.
• 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.
• Trailer or tipper instability and overturn — Verify ground bearing capacity and gradients before tipping; keep people clear of the arc. Load evenly front-to-rear and side-to-side. Chock wheels where needed; never move with body raised. Follow manufacturer limits; halt in high winds and use spotters at transfer sites.
• Site rules and permit non-compliance — Obtain site induction and permits before entry; follow traffic plans, PPE rules and tipping protocols. Keep paperwork accessible; use radios where required. Comply with weighbridge and segregation requirements; stop work and seek clarification if instructions conflict or conditions change.