Health & Safety Policy — Richmond upon Thames Man with Van Rubbish Service

Richmond upon Thames Man with Van (the Company) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors and the public while delivering waste and rubbish removal services. This policy outlines responsibilities, risk controls and operational procedures that govern our man and van rubbish removal activities across our service area, ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety obligations and best practice.

Policy Statement

We will provide a safe working environment for everyone involved in our Richmond man and van operations. Our aims are to prevent work-related injury and ill health, to minimise environmental risk when handling waste, and to ensure safe use of vehicles, equipment and manual handling techniques. The policy is supported by management, implemented through supervision, and reviewed regularly to reflect changes in operations and legislation.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

All staff, from drivers to administrative personnel, have clear responsibilities. Management will ensure adequate resources, training and enforcement of safe systems of work. Employees must follow procedures, report hazards and take reasonable care of themselves and others. Key responsibilities include:

• Risk assessment completion and review before new or changed tasks;
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, high-visibility clothing and protective footwear where required;
• Safe loading and unloading of van loads to prevent manual handling injuries and vehicle instability.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems — The Company will carry out and maintain documented risk assessments for routine rubbish collection, exceptional clearances and unusual waste types. Where appropriate, dynamic risk assessments will be used for unforeseen site hazards (eg obstructions, sharps, or hazardous liquids). Controls will be proportionate to the risk and may include job-specific method statements, traffic management measures and exclusion zones during bulky waste lifts.

Training and Competence — All personnel undertaking man with van rubbish services will receive induction training, periodic updates, and task-specific instruction. Training covers manual handling, vehicle loading, waste segregation, spill response and customer-site etiquette. Records of qualifications, toolbox talks and refresher sessions will be maintained for audit and continuous improvement.

Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergencies — All accidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences must be reported promptly. The Company will investigate incidents, take corrective action and update risk assessments where necessary. First aid provision will be appropriate to the scale of operations; designated first aiders and emergency contact procedures are in place for each shift and vehicle. Fire, spillage and major incident procedures are rehearsed periodically.

Vehicle Safety and Load Security — Vehicles are central to our man and van rubbish operations. The Company ensures regular maintenance, pre-shift vehicle checks and secure stowage of equipment. Loads will be restrained and covered where necessary to comply with road safety requirements and to prevent littering. Drivers are instructed on weight distribution and maximum load limits to maintain vehicle stability.

Waste Handling and Segregation — The policy distinguishes general household rubbish, recyclable materials and hazardous items. Staff are trained to identify prohibited wastes and, where necessary, to refuse acceptance of hazardous materials. Waste will be segregated at source when possible and transported to authorised facilities in line with waste transfer requirements, with appropriate documentation retained.

Monitoring, Audits and Continuous Improvement — The Company conducts scheduled safety audits, spot checks and performance reviews of its rubbish removal van crews. Findings feed into training, procedure updates and equipment investment. We benchmark operations against industry standards and strive to improve safety outcomes through worker consultation and data-led reviews.

(Safeguarding and Welfare) Staff welfare is an integral part of safety. The Company addresses fatigue management, provides appropriate rest facilities, and operates lone-working protocols for drivers working outside normal hours. Mental health awareness and support channels are available to staff, and occupational health referrals are arranged when required.

Hazardous Materials and Specialist Disposal — The Company maintains procedures for identification, containment and handover of hazardous wastes to authorised handlers. Staff are trained not to handle chemical, asbestos or clinically contaminated wastes unless suitably qualified and supplied with specialist equipment. Partnerships with licensed disposal contractors ensure compliance and protect public health.

Legal Compliance, Record Keeping and Insurance — The Company will maintain records of risk assessments, training, vehicle inspections and incident reports to demonstrate compliance with applicable health and safety requirements. Insurance arrangements appropriate to a man and van rubbish business are maintained; however, this policy does not replace statutory responsibilities of staff or contractors. Reviews of this policy occur at least annually or following material changes to operations.

Commitment and Review — The Company commits to implementing and enforcing this Health & Safety Policy across all refuge removal and man and van services. Employees are encouraged to contribute to safety improvements and to raise concerns without fear of reprisal. This policy will be made available to staff and relevant stakeholders and is subject to periodic review to reflect evolving risks and best practice in rubbish removal operations.