Battersea Man with Van — Health & Safety Policy

Overview: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Battersea Man with Van and its teams to operate a safe, responsible rubbish and waste removal service. The purpose is to protect staff, customers, contractors and the public by defining clear expectations for safe working practices, vehicle operation, manual handling and the control of foreseeable hazards. Our rubbish collection and waste removal activities are carried out with due regard to safety principles, appropriate training and appropriate personal protective equipment so that risks are minimised during daily operations.

Policy Statement and Scope

Our company provides a man-and-van rubbish removal and waste disposal service. We are committed to ensuring that work is planned, supervised and performed in a way that keeps everyone safe. This policy applies to all employees, subcontractors and temporary staff engaged in removal, transfer, storage and disposal of household, commercial and light construction waste. We will take a proactive approach to hazard identification, risk assessment and control. The policy covers vehicle safety, site operations, manual handling, use of tools, hazardous materials and incident reporting.

Responsibilities

Management will ensure safe systems of work, provide training and allocate resources for safety measures. Managers must ensure vehicles and equipment are maintained and inspected. Employees are required to follow instructions, attend training, use PPE and report hazards. Supervisors are responsible for assessing site-specific risks and confirming safe access and egress for collections and clearances. Contractors must comply with this policy and the directions of our safety personnel when working on behalf of our rubbish removal service.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Risk assessments will be carried out for routine tasks and for unique or higher-risk operations. Assessments identify hazards such as sharp items, waste containing hazardous substances, unstable loads, traffic interaction and confined spaces. Controls include work planning, use of appropriate lifting techniques, signage, cordons where needed, and ensuring loads are secured in vans and vehicles. Our man with van teams will be briefed on the results of assessments and on any required precautions before work begins.

Key Controls and Precautions

Controls we implement include:

• Provision and mandatory use of PPE including gloves, hi-vis clothing, safety boots and eye protection.
• Safe manual handling training and assessment of team lifting limits to prevent musculoskeletal injury.
• Vehicle checks and load security procedures to ensure safe transit of rubbish and bulky items.
• Clear segregation of recyclable, general and potentially hazardous waste, with guidance on safe handling.
• Traffic management measures for kerbside collections and on-site clearances to protect staff and the public.

Drivers and operatives will perform daily vehicle walk-round checks and report defects immediately. Vehicles used for rubbish collection will be maintained according to a planned schedule with records kept of inspections and repairs. Where specialist waste or potentially harmful materials are identified, work will cease until a safe method of handling and disposal is agreed. We will not accept responsibility for illegal or unsafe waste left by third parties.

Training, Competence and Communication

All personnel receive induction training covering risk awareness, safe manual handling, vehicle operation, PPE use and emergency procedures tailored to rubbish removal tasks. Regular toolbox talks and refresher sessions ensure ongoing competence. Training records are maintained and reviewed to identify additional needs. Strong communication between drivers, loaders and supervisors is essential for safe execution of each job. We expect everyone engaged by the service to cooperate with health and safety arrangements and to seek clarification where tasks are unfamiliar.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

Incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly using internal reporting procedures so that immediate corrective action is taken and lessons are learned. First aid kits are available in vehicles and at key operational locations and suitably trained first aiders are designated within teams. In the event of a serious incident the emergency services will be contacted and the site secured. Records of incidents and investigations are maintained to support continuous improvement.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We will monitor implementation of this policy through regular site and vehicle inspections, audits and performance reviews. Findings will be used to update procedures, improve training and refine risk controls. The health and safety policy will be reviewed at least annually and following any significant change to operations or after any major incident. Strong emphasis is placed on learning from experience to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of hazards associated with rubbish removal activities.