Health and Safety Policy — Belgravia Man with Van Rubbish Service

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Belgravia Man with Van to provide a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public during all waste collection and rubbish removal operations. Safety is integral to our service delivery across our service area, and the policy applies to all employees, contractors and sub-contractors engaged in man-and-van rubbish clearance, household waste removals and commercial debris collections.

Our aim is to minimise risk and maintain compliance with applicable health and safety principles. The policy establishes clear responsibilities for management and crew, outlines hazard identification and risk control measures, and explains how we will monitor performance. This document should be read alongside job-specific risk assessments and the safe systems of work used by our removal teams.

Management responsibility is central: senior staff must ensure that adequate resources, training and supervision are provided so that every man with a van team operates safely. All operatives are required to follow instructions, use provided equipment correctly and report hazards promptly. We promote a culture in which safety concerns are raised without fear of reprisal, and corrective actions are taken in a timely manner.

The policy covers routine rubbish removals, fly-tip clearance, office clear-outs and bulky waste collections. It addresses risks typical to a rubbish company service, including manual handling, vehicle operations, exposure to hazardous materials, slips, trips and falls, and adverse weather conditions that affect loading and unloading. Risk assessments are carried out for each site and task, with controls implemented to reduce likelihood and severity of incidents.

Specific control measures include safe lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids where appropriate, secure loading procedures, and ensuring vehicles are roadworthy and correctly loaded. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, high-visibility clothing and steel-toe footwear is provided and must be worn. Training on correct PPE selection and use is mandatory for all crew members.

We operate a permit-like approach for tasks that present higher-than-normal risk. Before undertaking complex or high-risk clearances, a task briefing is completed and a supervisor signs off on the method statement. This ensures that all hazards are identified, controls are in place and communication channels are clear between van drivers, loaders and site contacts.

Daily vehicle checks, pre-shift briefings and documented handover processes form part of our standard safe system of work. Crews are trained in defensive driving, load securing, and the safe operation of tail lifts and lifting equipment. All operatives are instructed to stop work if they encounter an uncontrolled hazard and to seek supervisor guidance.

We maintain a clear reporting system for incidents and near misses so that we can investigate, learn and apply preventive measures. The following controls form a key part of our operational standards:

• Pre-task risk assessment and site-specific briefings
• Mandatory PPE and regular competency checks
• Safe loading/unloading protocols and vehicle inspection logs
• Procedures for handling and segregating hazardous waste
• Emergency response arrangements and first-aid provision

Training and competence are central to our approach. All new staff receive induction training covering manual handling, vehicle safety, chemical awareness and infection control where relevant. Refresher training is provided at regular intervals, and additional instruction is given when equipment or legislation changes. Supervisors carry out competency assessments to ensure that each crew member can safely perform assigned tasks.

Contractors and temporary staff engaged to support rubbish removal operations are vetted for relevant qualifications and experience. They are briefed on our policy and site rules before commencing work, and they must comply with the same standards expected of our permanent workforce. Sub-contract arrangements include clauses to ensure compliance with our health and safety expectations.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement underpin the policy. We audit operations, investigate incidents and use performance indicators to measure effectiveness. The policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner if there are significant changes to operations, legislation or following a serious incident. Senior management provides visible leadership and ensures that corrective actions are implemented and tracked to completion.