Clapham Man with Van Health & Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments and procedures of Clapham Man with Van for safe, compliant rubbish removal and waste clearance services across our service area. It applies to all staff, contractors and temporary workers engaged in man-and-van rubbish clearance, bulky waste collection and related removal operations. Our aim is to reduce risk, protect people and property, and ensure consistent standards for every clearance job.

We promote a culture where safety is integral to daily operations. Every team member receives induction training on safe lifting, vehicle loading, domestic and commercial waste handling, and hazard recognition specific to man and van rubbish services. Supervisors carry out routine checks and refresher training, while risk controls are documented and reviewed regularly to reflect changes in practices or equipment.

All staff must follow the company's operational procedures: complete pre-job risk assessments, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), secure loads correctly in vans, and communicate hazards. Manual handling is monitored closely; where mechanical aids are available they are used to reduce physical strain. We also emphasise clear recording of incidents and near-misses to support continuous improvement in our rubbish collection processes.

Responsibilities and Management

Management is responsible for setting policy, allocating resources and ensuring compliance with this policy. Team leaders must ensure operatives understand job-specific risks and have the correct equipment for each clearance task. Employees are expected to follow instructions, wear required PPE and report hazards promptly. Working together ensures safe rubbish removal in both domestic and commercial environments.

Risk assessments are carried out for every site before work begins. Assessments consider trip and fall hazards, hazardous materials, sharps, asbestos-suspect items, traffic management on busy streets, and the condition of access points such as stairs, lifts and narrow communal areas. Where hazards cannot be fully controlled, work is adapted or additional controls are put in place to protect operatives and the public.

We maintain up-to-date records of training, vehicle maintenance and street risk assessments. All vans are fitted with appropriate securing equipment and first-aid kits. Vehicles are inspected daily and serviced according to manufacturer guidelines to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns or incidents during rubbish collection runs.

Safe Working Practices

Practical measures include:

• Pre-job checks to confirm scope and hazards
• PPE such as gloves, hi-vis, steel-toe footwear and masks where dust or biohazards are present
• Safe lifting techniques and two-person lifts for heavy or awkward items
• Segregation of hazardous waste from general rubbish to reduce contamination and injury
• Secure loading and correct load distribution in vans to prevent shifting during transit

Emergency procedures are simple and rehearsed: stop work if a serious hazard is discovered, make the area safe, and summon assistance where needed. Minor injuries are treated on site where possible, while more serious incidents are escalated immediately to emergency services. All events are logged and investigated to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring and Review: this policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner if operational changes occur. Our inspection programme, incident reporting and feedback mechanisms provide the evidence base for continuous improvement. We set measurable targets for accident reduction, training completion and vehicle inspections to ensure accountable progress.

Waste Handling and Environmental Considerations: our approach to rubbish removal balances safety with environmental responsibility. We encourage waste segregation at source, reuse where possible and transfer to authorised disposal or recycling facilities. Staff are trained to recognise hazardous materials and to refuse handling items that present unacceptable risks; these are reported for specialist removal.

Confined spaces, unsafe structures and suspect asbestos-containing materials are treated with the utmost caution. Where such risks are identified during a man with van rubbish clearance, work stops and qualified specialists are engaged. This avoids exposure to airborne fibres and other dangerous contaminants and ensures compliance with safe disposal regulations.

Communication and Consultation: employees are consulted on health and safety matters through toolbox talks and regular safety meetings. Suggestions for safer methods are encouraged and acted upon where feasible. Clients and third parties are informed of potential site risks and instructed on how to cooperate with onsite safety arrangements to minimise disruption and danger during removal operations.

Final Provisions: this policy is a core part of our operational standards for rubbish clearance and man and van services. It establishes clear duties, practical safeguards and a commitment to continuous improvement. By following these measures we aim to deliver efficient, safe and responsible rubbish removal across our service area.

All employees and contractors must familiarise themselves with this policy and demonstrate compliance through their daily work. Non-compliance may result in retraining or disciplinary action where necessary to maintain safe operations. Periodic audits ensure the policy remains effective and up-to-date.

Signed and approved by management as the official Health & Safety policy for our man-and-van rubbish removal services.