Safety First
Safety First (Health & Safety UK), practical readiness before the EA or your next audit
Use on transfer, recycling, treatment and related permitted waste sites. Tick only what is true this week.
Use on transfer, recycling, treatment and related permitted waste sites. Tick only what is true this week.
1. Technical competence (WAMITAB / TCM)
Named Technically Competent Manager is current for the activities on the permit
Cover arrangements exist for leave, sickness, and vacancies (named, workable, not “we’ll cope”)
Continuing competence dates are diarised for the relevant modules/activities
Site supervisors know who the competent person is today and how to contact them
Competence evidence is filed and retrievable within minutes for an inspector
2. Permit and operating boundary
Activities on the ground match the permit (waste types, throughput, treatment)
Permit variations are in hand before new wastes or processes start
Acceptance procedures stop non-conforming wastes at the weighbridge/gate
Records (duty of care, transfers, quarantine) are complete and contemporaneous
3. Fire prevention and emergency
Fire prevention plan reflects current layout, waste piles, and plant (not last year’s drawing)
Maximum pile sizes, separation, and storage durations are known to supervisors
Hot-works / ignition controls are enforced in real operations
Emergency response plan is drilled enough that night shift could start it
Fire risk assessment is in date and consistent with the FPP
4. DSEAR and dangerous substances
Flammable liquids, gases, aerosols, or combustible dusts on site are inventoried
DSEAR assessment exists where dangerous substances can create explosive atmospheres
Zoning / hazardous area needs are understood by maintenance and contractors
LPG, fuel, battery, or solvent storage controls match the assessment
5. Day-to-day H&S controls
Risk assessments and method statements match how tasks are actually done
COSHH assessments cover substances in use (including maintenance chemicals)
Face-fit / RPE arrangements are current where required
Workplace inspections run to a set frequency with closed-out actions
Contractors are inducted, controlled, and not left to “self-manage” high-risk work
6. Environmental management
EMS or environmental procedures cover emissions, drainage, odour, noise, dust
Spillage controls and drainage protection are usable, not theoretical
Monitoring and non-conformance records are up to date
7. Incidents and learning
Accident/near-miss reporting is used (not feared)
Investigations reach root cause, not only the injured person
RIDDOR decisions are made by someone who knows the criteria
Corrective actions have owners and due dates
8. People and training
Training matrix covers roles on site (plant, traffic, acceptance, fire wardens)
New starters get site-specific induction before unsupervised work
Refreshers are scheduled, not ad hoc after something goes wrong
