Catford Man with Van Health & Safety Policy

Purpose and scope. This policy sets out the health and safety principles and procedures adopted by Catford Man with Van and associated rubbish removal teams to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public during all man and van and waste clearance operations. Our aim is to deliver safe, reliable rubbish collection and removal services across our service area while reducing risk, preventing injury and maintaining compliance with relevant safety standards.

Commitment to safety and responsibilities

We are committed to providing a safe working environment for all staff involved in man with van operations and to ensuring that waste handling and removal are carried out with due care. Managers are responsible for ensuring adequate training, risk assessments and supervision. Employees must follow procedures, use personal protective equipment and report hazards immediately. We promote a culture of continuous improvement, and health and safety is a standing agenda item at operational meetings.

Risk assessment and safe systems of work

All jobs are preceded by a site-specific risk assessment that identifies hazards associated with bulky waste, mixed rubbish, hazardous items and manual handling. Control measures include safe lifting techniques, use of team lifts, provision of appropriate lifting aids and safe vehicle loading. We maintain written safe systems of work for typical tasks such as house clearances, garden waste removal and commercial rubbish collection. Appropriate precautions are enforced where asbestos, sharps, chemicals or electrical items are suspected.

Training, competence and supervision

Employees receive training in manual handling, use of PPE, road safety and vehicle loading procedures. New crew members are inducted with supervised practical sessions and competency checks before unsupervised work. We maintain training records and conduct refresher training at regular intervals. Supervisors carry out spot checks to ensure that safe work practices are followed and intervene where corrective action is required.

Equipment, vehicles and maintenance. Vehicles used for man with van and rubbish collection are maintained to a high standard with scheduled servicing, regular tyre and brake checks, secure load restraint systems and working reversing alarms and lights. Tooling and lifting aids are inspected before use. Any equipment faults are recorded and remedied promptly; defective items are removed from service until repaired. We keep vehicle weights within safe limits and ensure loads are correctly sheeted and balanced to prevent spills and injuries.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE is provided where risks cannot be eliminated and includes high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety boots, eye protection and dust masks when appropriate. Staff are trained in correct selection, use and maintenance of PPE. Disposable items are handled and disposed of following hygiene procedures, especially after exposure to potentially contaminated waste.

Manual handling and musculoskeletal health. We apply proven manual handling techniques and mechanical aids to minimise strain. Jobs involving heavy lifting are planned to use team lifts or lifting equipment. Work rotas and rest breaks are arranged to reduce repetitive strain. Staff are encouraged to report aches and pains early so that adjustments can be made to duties or additional support provided.

Control of hazardous waste and incident management. Hazardous or unknown items are handled with extreme caution. We will isolate suspect materials, advise clients when specialist disposal is required and follow local regulations for hazardous waste segregation and transfer. All incidents, near misses and injuries are reported and investigated promptly. Findings are used to update risk assessments and training to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures and first aid

We maintain clear emergency procedures including on-site first aid, accident reporting and emergency contact protocols for serious incidents. Trained first aiders are available on operations, and first aid kits are carried on vehicles. In the event of spillage, fire or injury, staff follow established containment, evacuation and reporting routines. Records of accidents and corrective actions are maintained and reviewed for trends.

Health, well-being and welfare

Catford man and van crews work in varying conditions; we promote hydration, adequate breaks and access to welfare facilities where possible. Staff are supported with occupational health referrals when required and encouraged to raise concerns about workloads, stress or fatigue. We recognise that physical and mental health are integral to safe operations.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement. This policy is reviewed regularly and when operational changes occur. We monitor compliance through inspections, audits and performance indicators such as incident rates and corrective actions completed. Lessons learned from incidents feed back into training and procedures to drive continual improvement in our rubbish removal and man with van services.

Implementation and acceptance. All employees, contractors and sub-contractors engaged by our man with van service are required to understand and abide by this health and safety policy. Strict adherence to these rules protects people, property and the environment while ensuring that our rubbish collection and waste clearance services remain efficient and dependable.