HAZARDOUS WASTE POLICY 1.0
INTRODUCTION AND AIM
1.1
The Trust’s vision of “transforming neighbourhoods, homes and services to improve the quality of life for its customers” is at the centre of all it strives to achieve. The production of waste, hazardous or otherwise, is a factor that needs to be considered when undertaking the tasks for or on behalf of the Trust on a daily basis. This policy has been formulated following a review of the work processes included in how the Trust deals with hazardous waste and after consultation with the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Strategy for Hazardous Waste Management in England published in March 2010, The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 and the List of Wastes Regulations 2005. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has produced guidance on this subject and the following is DEFRA’s Lists of typical hazardous wastes: • Acids • Alkaline solutions • Batteries • Oil fly ash • Industrial solvents • Oily sludges • Pesticides • Pharmaceutical compounds • Photographic chemicals • Waste oils • Wood preservatives • TVs • Computer monitors • Paint • Fluorescent tubes
1.2
The overall aim of this policy is to ensure the Trust is complying with the relevant regulations and disposing of any waste in a responsible manner with consideration for the environment and the health, safety and welfare of its employees and nonemployees who may be affected by the undertakings of the Trust.
1.3
The majority of waste produced by the Trust is non-hazardous and the waste hierarchy (as detailed within the policy) will be considered, prior to final disposal. All hazardous waste as defined within the List of Waste Regulations 2005 will be dealt with in accordance with the regulations cited in the introduction and in line with other Trust health & safety policies.
2.0
SCOPE OF THE POLICY
2.1
This policy applies to all employees in the Trust, including permanent employees and those on fixed term contracts. Contractors employed to undertake work for and on behalf of the Trust, are responsible for their own Site Waste Management Plan which should be approved by the Trust prior to any work starting.
3.0
PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY
3.1
The management of the Trust have a responsibility to follow the waste hierarchy whenever con
3.2
The Waste Hierarchy is as follows:
3.3
Employees have a responsibility to remove any waste produced whilst carrying out work on behalf of the Trust as quickly as is reasonably practicable.
3.4
General waste produced whilst undertaking work on behalf of the Trust should be taken to the skip situated at Buildbase.
3.5
Asbestos waste should be dealt with in accordance with the Trust’s Asbestos Policy.
3.6
Fridges, freezers and televisions, which can all contain substances harmful to health or the environment, are deposited via Furniture Finders of Winsford for recycling or re-use by new customers or the General Public or alternatively, disposed of via an appropriate Waste Transfer Station (currently Nick Brookes).
3.7
Hazardous waste shall be treated in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance as contained in DEFRA’s Guidance Note – “Waste – Can you Handle It?” http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/hazwaste/documents/wastecanyouhandle.pdf
4.0
RESPONSIBILITY
4.1
The Directors are responsible: a. To the Chief Executive and the Board for ensuring the effective implementation of this policy. b. For monitoring the effectiveness of this policy within their own area of responsibility c. For ensuring that managers undertake their duties in respect of this policy d. For ensuring that adequate resources are in place to allow the requirements of this policy to be met.
4.2
Managers are responsible for ensuring that the waste hierarchy is adhered to as far as is reasonably practicable and that all staff within their control are provided with suitable information, instruction and training with regards to the handling of hazardous waste.
4.3
Managers are responsible for ensuring that suitable equipment, transport, skips, specialist contractors, and work procedures are provided to ensure employees are able to dispose of hazardous waste safely and legally.
4.4
Employees are responsible for ensuring good housekeeping techniques.
4.5
Employees are responsible for following safe systems of work and method statements implemented for their safety.
4.6
Employees are responsible for following the information, instruction and training they have been provided with to ensure their safety when handling hazardous waste.
5.0
CONSULTATION
5.1
The Trust will consult with employee/trades union representatives on any changes to this policy.
This policy will be implemented via the Trust’s detailed procedures and guidance notes. The procedure and guidance notes should always be used in conjunction with the policy, to provide a consistent approach in the practical implementation of this area of operation. Author of Policy
Date of Review
Ivan Hilditch
October 2010
Approved by ie EMT/ Review Date Board EMT – November 2013/14 2010
Appendix two
Race and Diversity Impact Assessment The term policy refers to any activity Weaver Vale does – whether that is a policy or procedure we write or review, a service we provide, an OSDP project, or an initiative we run. Department:
Officer responsible for the assessment:
The Trust as a Whole
Name of Policy to be assessed:
Hazardous Waste Policy
Date of Assessment:
01.11.10
Ivan Hilditch (Health & Safety Adviser)
Is this a new or existing policy?
New Policy
To introduce a written policy documenting the Trust’s commitment to caring for the health, safety and welfare of its staff, and anyone who may be affected by its 1. undertakings. And to ensure that, as a result of the Trust’s undertakings, the environment is not polluted or endangered. Trust staff and anyone affected by the Trust’s undertakings will benefit from an increased commitment to ensuring their health, safety and welfare is not Who is intended to benefit from this 2. compromised. The environment will not be carelessly polluted or damaged as a result policy, and in what way? of Trust activities. The Trust will benefit from compliance with the relevant regulations as named within the policy. When completing the section below consider whether the services made available through the policy are accessible to everyone with the community. Bear in mind any economic, social, environmental, physical, intellectual, cultural, linguistic, technological or other barriers. Are there concerns that the policy could have a 3. differential impact either positive or negative due Yes X No to their age? Briefly describe the aims, objectives and purpose of the policy.
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 4.
Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to disability?
Older members of staff may have less immunity to the effects of hazardous waste due to either medical conditions, exposure over a longer period of time or slower reaction times due to age. Procedures in line with this policy introduce control measures that must be undertaken to help protect this kind of employee.
Yes X
No
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified?
5.
Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative on people with literacy issues?
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified?
6.
Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to gender?
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 7.
Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative on racial groups?
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 8.
Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to their faith or religious belief?
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified?
Disabled people may have impairments that increase their vulnerability to hazardous waste which may impact upon their health. Their physical disability may be aggravated by hazardous waste or their ability to use and /or wear protective equipment may increase the risks associated with exposure to hazardous waste. Yes X
No
Warnings given on the packaging of hazardous waste substances, the relevant material data sheet or any COSHH assessment will impact upon those personnel who suffer from literacy issues as the dangers may not be obvious to these persons. Effective communication through other means should be sought for staff members with this kind of issue. Yes X
No
Women, who are pregnant, along with their unborn child, could be at higher risk from hazardous waste. Any substance that could affect those parts of the body that one sex has that the other doesn’t could differentiate between genders if this policy is not observed. Yes
No X
The effects of Hazardous Waste and its disposal do not discriminate against race
Yes
No X
The effects of Hazardous Waste and its disposal do not discriminate against faith or religious belief
9.
Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to any other equality issues? (e.g. people with dependents and or/ caring responsibilities or people with a criminal record)
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 10.
Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to sexual orientation?
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this/ Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 11.
Could the differential impact identified in 3-10 amount to there being the potential for adverse impact in this policy?
Can this adverse impact be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for one group? Or any other reason? Should a full impact assessment to be carried out?
Yes
No X
There are no other concerns regarding equality or diversity that exposure to hazardous waste will discriminate for or against.
Yes
No X
The effects of exposure to hazardous waste do not discriminate for or against sexual orientation. The aim of the policy is to treat all people equally and allow for a reduction in the exposure to hazardous waste for all. Adherence to the policy, relevant legislation and procedures will ensure this is the case. Not applicable
Yes
No X
Area of Negative Impact -
Action
Target Date
Responsible
Outcomes for Customers
Progress
