Harrow Man with Van — Health & Safety Policy for Rubbish and Waste Removal Services

Purpose: This policy sets out the commitment of Harrow Man with Van to maintain a safe environment for staff, contractors, clients and the public during all activities related to rubbish collection, waste disposal and man-and-van removals. It describes responsibilities, risk management, training, and operational controls for waste removal services in our service area while remaining compliant with applicable health and safety obligations. The emphasis is on prevention, clear accountability and continuous improvement in safe waste handling and van-based operations.

Scope and commitments

Our waste removal and rubbish clearance operations, including those provided by a man and van team, are covered by this policy. We will identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls to reduce the likelihood of injury, ill health or environmental harm. The company will: provide appropriate resources, maintain vehicle safety, ensure secure load practices, and require the correct use of personal protective equipment. We prioritise safe working over speed or convenience.

Responsibilities

Company directors retain ultimate responsibility for health & safety. Supervisors and drivers are accountable for day-to-day control, including pre-shift checks, safe loading practices, and following waste segregation rules. Employees must comply with directions, report hazards, and use equipment and PPE as trained. Contractors engaged for bulky rubbish removal must meet our safety standards and provide evidence of competency. Everyone on site shares a duty to stop unsafe work and report near misses so that corrective action is taken promptly.

Risk assessment and control measures

Risk assessments are documented for typical activities such as manual handling of waste, lifting heavy items into a van, operating tail lifts, dealing with sharp or hazardous materials and driving between jobs in the local rubbish collection service area. Controls include safe systems of work, mechanical aids, safe lifting techniques, segregated waste containers and clear procedures for unknown or hazardous items. Traffic management at collection points is addressed to protect operatives and the public.

Personal protective equipment and vehicle safety

The company supplies and enforces appropriate PPE for man and van rubbish services: hi-vis clothing, gloves suitable for waste handling, boots with protective toes and puncture resistance, eye protection and dust masks where needed. Vehicles are fitted and maintained to be roadworthy with functioning brakes, lighting and secure load restraints. Pre-start vehicle checks are mandatory and records are retained. PPE and maintenance are non-negotiable elements of safe operations.

We operate a zero-tolerance policy for overloaded or unstable loads. Drivers must ensure waste is correctly contained and fastened prior to transit. Smoking, use of alcohol or illegal substances while on duty is strictly prohibited. Regular inspections and cleaning regimes reduce fire risk associated with combustible waste materials commonly encountered in a rubbish clearance business.

Training and competence

All staff involved in waste removal, including our man and van teams, receive induction training and periodic refresher courses covering manual handling, COSHH awareness for potentially hazardous residues, vehicle safety, and emergency procedures. Supervisors are trained in risk assessment and incident investigation. Training records are maintained and competence is reviewed during performance checks to ensure our rubbish removal crew remain skilled and confident in safe work practices.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting

Emergency arrangements include first-aid provision, injury reporting, and escalation for environmental incidents such as hazardous spills. In the event of an accident or near miss, employees must follow the company's reporting procedure so investigations can identify root causes and corrective actions. We actively encourage reporting to support learning and reduce recurrence; confidentiality is respected where appropriate.

Monitoring, review and legal compliance

We monitor performance through audits, vehicle checks, incident trends and feedback from operatives. This policy is reviewed at least annually or after significant change, incident or new regulation affecting rubbish collection and man-with-van operations. The company seeks to meet or exceed statutory requirements for waste transport and handling, ensuring all waste is delivered to authorised facilities and that transfer documentation is maintained where required.

Key controls summary:

• Documented risk assessments for all common tasks and journeys.
• Mandatory PPE and vehicle pre-start checks.
• Safe loading and load restraint procedures for van-based rubbish removal.
• Training, competence verification and regular refresher sessions.
• Incident reporting, investigation and corrective action processes.
• Compliance with waste transfer and environmental obligations.

By following these principles, Harrow Man with Van aims to deliver safe, reliable and legally compliant rubbish and waste removal services across its service area while protecting employees, customers and the environment. All personnel must familiarise themselves with this policy and their specific duties within it. Management will ensure ongoing support and resources to maintain safety standards and promote continuous improvement.