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How Green is Your House?

We’re big on becoming as environmentally freindly as possible at Topskips.com. We’re moving towards a paperless office and renewable energy suppliers for our power useage. But we’re also trying to get all members of the company to take this stuff on board at home.
One thing that really interests us is solar power, and we’ve found a great site for anyone interested in this or a wide range of other products to help green you up a bit more. It’s at Britsh Eco, and is well worth a look if you’re interested in any of the following:

November 19, 2006 at 3:41 pm | Home and Garden Improvements | No comment

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Jekyll and Hyde

By Dunstan Carter
“All human beings… are commingled out of good and evil.” – wrote Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886.
Little did he know how accurate that quote would prove to be when levelled at UK workers’ attitudes to recycling and the environment in 2006.
According to a new report, commissioned by Envirowise, most workers are environmentally friendly at home but frequently waste water and paper when they are in the office.
The report also claims that firms could save up to 32 million litres of water and a billion sheets of paper every day if people were as eco-friendly at work as they are at home.
Envirowise, which promotes eco-friendly business practices, said one in three workers do nothing to cut back on the use of water or paper. A survey of almost 2,000 adults revealed that one in five recycle nothing in the office and one in seven has no idea how much paper they use every day.
The report also claims that offices across the UK are needlessly wasting around 310 million litres of water every single working day.
Electricity is also wasted, with very few offices installing energy-efficient light bulbs and with many computers being left on overnight. Inkjet cartridges are also rarely recycled – which is a global problem with more than 1.1 billion cartridges being used annually around the world.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that all this waste is becoming a major problem and one that the UK has to address.
In her 1975 book, A Gift for God, Mother Theresa wrote, “I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use.”
So, WAKE UP BRITAIN, and start recycling in the workplace. You wouldn’t want to upset the ghost of Mother Theresa would you? Thought not!
This is an archived news story from “The Skip” Magazine. If you would like to know more about the magazine click on The Skip to find out how to subscribe and see what our readers think about it.

November 18, 2006 at 4:07 pm | The Skip Magazine News Stories | No comment

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Health & Safety: Some Basic Dos and Don’ts

By Nigel Mair
Health & Safety is one of the major issues facing the waste sector at the moment, with a recent study reporting an accident rate nearly 5 times the national average.
The issue of safety was really brought home by an extremely bleak 8-week period at the end of last year when there were 9 fatalities in the industry. These were all tragic and unnecessary losses.
Although the short period over which the accidents happened was unusual, the causes were, unfortunately, all too common and unless H&S is given a higher profile within the industry these tragedies will keep occurring.
In this article I will be covering some of the skip hire industry’s core H&S responsibilities and also highlighting some of the major risk areas that you should take a closer look at in your business.
We haven’t had an accident, so we haven’t got a problem?
That is a nice thought but I wouldn’t be so confident if I was you. You may be right, but you need to have a good look at your systems and make sure that it is thorough design and not just luck that accidents have been avoided.
In H&S speak you will need to be able to demonstrate that you have introduced safe systems of work (SSOW).
What is a safe system of work?
That is a good question, as many people think that it is about having risk assessments. In part that is correct, but a safe system of work is much more than having a file with “Risk Assessments” written on the front. In order to be effective a SSOW is about having demonstrable safety systems in place. This will include not only risk assessments, but also information provision, staff competence and appropriate control measures and precautions.
So what do I need to do?
Read on and I’ll cover some of the core topics here.
H&S Policy
One of your basic legal responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act is to produce an H&S Policy – this must be documented where the company employs 5 or more members of staff (to include part time staff).
The Policy is made up of 3 core requirements:
1. A Statement which sets out the organisations broad commitments with regard to H&S. It should be signed by a senior officer, such as the MD and should be clearly displayed around the organisation and made available to others upon request.
2. An Organisation structure should be produced, setting out the responsibilities of the different roles within your organisation. It will not necessarily include names, but will refer to work roles, such as Directors, Managers and Site Operatives. Each of these will have clear duties and responsibilities with regard to H&S.
3. An Arrangements document will also need to be prepared. This will set out the way the company meets the commitments set out in the Statement. For example, it might refer to the completion of risk assessments, the delivery of training and also the undertaking of audits and drills.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are probably the H&S “bits” that most of you will be familiar with. They are also an area that from my experience causes a lot of difficulty.
As with the H&S policy, undertaking risk assessments is a legal requirement- no matter what size your organisation. For smaller companies you will not have to write them down, but again, this becomes a legal requirement where you employ 5 or more staff (to include part timers).
How do I complete a risk assessment?
This is not that simple a question as there are lots of different approaches so it is not really a case of “one size fits all”. The bottom line is that you must undertake assessments that are “suitable and sufficient”…whatever that means.
This is a difficult one to put to bed as what may seem suitable and sufficient to you, may not be in the eyes of a HSE inspector. Whatever you decide is a “risk” you would have to justify should something go wrong. This means that you would have to be able to show that you have given it some thought and there is a reason behind your judgement…in effect, that you think it is “suitable and sufficient”.
Doesn’t H&S cost money?
That is a bit of a “glass half empty” question, as the cost of not having good H&S is likely to be much, much more. There is something in your favour though, as you are able to make use of the term “reasonably practicable”. That doesn’t mean that you can penny pinch, but it does mean that you can bring some cost benefit calculations into the decision making process. For example, if a member of staff got a minor cut on their finger and the only way to stop it happening again was to spend £1 million, then this would be thought of as unreasonable and you would not need to introduce the precaution. This is obviously at the extreme end, but in most cases for each of the risks you identify in your risk assessments you will be able to consider costs when thinking about any precautions. But again, be aware that you might need to justify your decision.
Personal Protective Equipment
This is often viewed as being the first line of defence, when really it should be the last. Whenever I go around sites it is frightening how many people seem to think that wearing hi-viz clothing turns them into some sort of superhero who can walk into the path of vehicles without fear…believe me, it WILL still sting if you get hit!
We will come back to this another time, but remember that PPE must be appropriate and staff must understand why they need to wear it and not only how it might protect them, but also what it will not do.
COSHH
This stands for “Control of Substances Hazardous to Health” and many of you may say that this doesn’t affect you as you don’t deal with anything hazardous. I can almost guarantee that that isn’t strictly correct, as I would imagine that at the very least you put one type of hazardous substance in your vehicle fuel tanks and use others to keep the engines working and the parts lubricated. All of these would fall under the COSHH regulations.
From my experience this is one H&S issue that is poorly satisfied in skip companies…….ask yourself do you have any Safety Data Sheets? If the answer is “no”, then this is something you should think about addressing.
Vehicles and Plant
Probably the most dangerous aspects of your business are your vehicles and plant. These are responsible for more accidents and deaths than anything else. In fact, it is suggested that over 60% of the waste industry accidents involve workplace transport.
Issues you will need to think about are how you ensure that they are safe to use (defect checks), how they are operated correctly (training, safe systems) and that people and vehicles are kept apart as far as possible (one way systems, barriers etc).
Visitors and contractors
Many people think that their responsibility only goes as far as their staff. This is not true…the Health and Safety at Work Act says that you have a responsibility for your employees and anybody else affected by your activities. This would mean visitors, contractors, members of the public and even in some cases those little angels that may break into your site from time to time!
You may well say that you have a big dog that keeps them at bay. This might be the case, but don’t forget that you will need to build it into a safe system of work, risk assessments and all!
The HSE’s Waste and Recycling Section is currently working to deliver a three-year programme to improve the performance of the industry. This is being delivered through an increased number of inspections – so, be warned, if you choose to ignore the advice given here, they may come knocking on your door very soon!
Nigel Mair is a WAMITAB assessor and verifier and runs the North West Regional Assessment Centre, delivering WAMITAB qualifications and other H&S, waste and environmental training.
 You can contact himne via The Skip

November 17, 2006 at 4:00 pm | Skip Hire Health & Safety | No comment

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Skip Hire Stockport

Topskips works with only the very best skip hire companies in Stockport, with commitments to manage your waste responsibly (i.e recycling over 70% and NO flytipping).
Because of our bulk buying power, Topskips customers can expect a better standard of service.
The areas we cover for skip hire in Stockport include: Adswood, Bramhall, Bredbury, Brinnington, Cale Green, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Compstall, Davenport, Edgeley, Heaton Chapel, Heaton Norris, Heaton Moor, Heaton Mersey, Hazel Grove, Heald Green, High Lane, Gatley, Marple, Mellor, Portwood, Offerton, Reddish, Romiley, Woodford, Woodley, Woodsmoor
To check prices for skip hire in Stockport, you can use our online price calculator after registering with us here.
You can also view our pricing policy here, and the skips available for domestic use here. Trade users should click here.

November 16, 2006 at 3:13 pm | Skip Hire UK | No comment

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Skip Hire Liverpool

Topskips works with only the very best skip hire companies in Liverpool, with commitments to manage your waste responsibly (i.e recycling over 70% and NO flytipping).
Because of our bulk buying power, Topskips customers can expect a better standard of service.
We cover the following areas for skip hire in Liverpool. Just click on the one nearest you or call us on freephone 08445 60 77 10 for a quote:
Aigburth, Allerton, Anfield, Belle Vale, Broadgreen, Canning, Childwall, Clubmoor, Croxteth, Dingle, Dovecot, Edge Hill, Everton, Fairfield, Fazakerley, Garston, Gateacre, Grassendale, Hunts Cross, Kensington, Kirkdale, Knotty Ash, Mossley Hill, Netherley, Norris Green, Old Swan, St Michael’s Hamlet, Speke, Stoneycroft, Toxteth, Tuebrook, Walton, Wavertree, West Derby, Woolton, Allerton & Hunts Cross, Anfield, Belle Vale, Central, Childwall, Church, Clubmoor, County, Cressington, Croxteth, Everton, Fazakerley, Greenbank, Kensington & Fairfield, Kirkdale, Knotty Ash, Mossley Hill, Norris Green, Old Swan, Picton, Princes Park, Riverside, Speke Garston, St Michaels, Tuebrook and Stoneycroft, Warbreck, Wavertree, West Derby, Woolton, Yew Tree.
To check prices for skip hire in Liverpool, you can use our online price calculator after registering with us here.
You can also view our pricing policy here, and the skips available for domestic use here. Trade users should click here.

November 15, 2006 at 3:12 pm | Skip Hire UK | No comment

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Skip Hire Hampshire

Topskips works with only the very best skip hire companies in Hampshire, with commitments to manage your waste responsibly (i.e recycling over 70% and NO flytipping).
Because of our bulk buying power, Topskips customers can expect a better standard of service.
The areas of Hampshire we cover for skip hire include: Aldershot, Alresford, Alton, Ampfield, Andover, Ash, Barton Stacey, Barton-on-Sea, Basingstoke, Baughurst, Beaulieu, Beauworth, Bentley, Bentworth, Bishop’s Waltham, Bishops Waltham, Blackwater, Bordon, Botley, Bramdean, Bramshill, Bransgore, Brockenhurst, Broughton, Buriton, Burlesdon, Burley, Bursledon, Cadnam, Camberley, Chalton, Chandler’s Ford, Charter Alley, Chawton, Cheriton, Copythorne, Crawley, Crondall, Damerham, Denmead, Dibden, Dogmersfield, Downton, Dummer, Dunbridge, East End, East Stratton, East Tytherley, East Wellow, Eastleigh, Easton, Emsworth, Eversley, Faccombe, Fair Oak, Fareham, Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet, Fordingbridge, Fritham, Froxfield, Godalming, Gosport, Hamble, Hambledon, Hartley Wintney, Havant, Hayling Island, Hereford, Highfield, Holybourne, Hook, Horsebridge, Ibsley, Itchen Abbas, Kingsclere, Kingsley, Langstone, Leckford, Lee-on-the-Solent, Linwood, Liphook, Liss, Longparish, Lymington, Lyndhurst, Mapledurwell, Mattingley, Meonstoke, Micheldever, Milford on Sea, Minstead, New Alresford, New Milton, North Waltham, Odiham, Old Basing, Otterbourne, Overton, Ovington, Ower, Owslebury, Owslesbury, Petersfield, Pilley, Plaitford, Portchester, Portsmouth, Preston Candover, Ringwood, Romsey, Rotherwick, Rowlands Castle, Salisbury, Setley, Shawford, Shedfield, Sopley, Southampton, Southsea, Southwick, Sparsholt, St Mary Bourne, Steep, Stockbridge, Stoney Cross, Stuckton, Tadley, Tangley, Tichbourne, Tidworth, Titchfield, Totton, Twyford, Upper Froyle, Upton Grey, Warash, Warsash, Waterlooville, Well, Wherwell, Whitchurch, Whiteley, Whitsbury, Wickham, Winchester, Wolverton, Woodlands, Yateley.
To check prices for skip hire in Hampshire, you can use our online price calculator after registering with us here.
You can also view our pricing policy here, and the skips available for domestic use here. Trade users should click here.

November 14, 2006 at 3:12 pm | Skip Hire UK | No comment

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