Haringey Man with Van — Health & Safety Policy

Purpose and scope. This health and safety policy sets out the commitment of Haringey Man with Van and related man with van Haringey services to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public when carrying out rubbish removal, waste collection and clearance work. The policy applies to all operations across our service area and covers domestic and commercial rubbish collection, disposal and recycling activities. It establishes responsibilities, safe systems of work and expectations for compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

All staff and contractors are required to follow this policy and any associated procedures. The company will provide resources to ensure safe operations including appropriate training, personal protective equipment and supervised vehicle and site practices. Haringey man and van teams must carry out risk assessments on every job, document controls and ensure that customers are informed of any safety precautions where necessary.

Legal and organisational responsibilities. The directorate holds overall responsibility for policy implementation, while supervisors and team leaders are responsible for day to day enforcement. Employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions and to report hazards or incidents. The rubbish company will ensure compliance with statutory duties, and keep records of risk assessments, training and maintenance for vehicles and equipment.

Risk assessment and control measures

Before any removal, a written or documented risk assessment must be completed by competent staff. This assessment will consider manual handling, vehicle loading, traffic management, customer premises hazards, sharps and hazardous waste, working at height and lone working. Controls include use of mechanical aids, team lifting, segregation of hazardous items, safe loading plans, clear access and egress and prohibition of unauthorised passengers in work vehicles.

Personal protective equipment is provided and must be worn where risks cannot be eliminated. Typical PPE includes high visibility clothing, gloves, steel toe boots, eye protection and respiratory protection where dust or airborne contaminants are present. Staff must check PPE before use and report defects immediately. The company will replace worn or damaged equipment promptly.

Training and competence. Training is mandatory and recorded for all staff. Topics include manual handling techniques, safe vehicle operation, waste classification, segregation, spill control, hazardous waste handling, fire procedures and first aid awareness. New starters receive induction on safety policies and supervised on-the-job coaching. Refresher training is scheduled periodically and after any incident or change in operations.

Vehicle, site and manual handling safety

All man with van Haringey crews must ensure vehicles are maintained, loads secured and weight limits observed to prevent overturning or overloading. Drivers must carry relevant documentation and operate vehicles within legal limits. On site, traffic and pedestrian segregation measures should be used. Manual handling assessments determine team lift requirements and mechanical aid use. Employees must not attempt to move loads beyond their capability.

Hazardous materials and segregation. The company maintains procedures for identifying, segregating and handling hazardous waste. Items such as solvents, asbestos-containing materials, batteries, chemicals and medical waste require specialist handling and disposal arrangements. If such items are found during a routine clearing, operations will be paused until safe removal can be arranged by trained personnel or authorised contractors. Records of hazardous waste disposal are maintained in line with regulatory expectations.

Incident reporting, emergency response and monitoring. Any accident, near miss or property damage must be reported immediately and recorded. The organisation provides first aid kits, emergency contact procedures and clear instructions for fire or chemical spill response. Incidents are investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Health and safety performance is monitored by audits, vehicle inspections and safety meetings to ensure continuous improvement in the rubbish removal service.

Responsibilities and conduct. Employees must follow instructions, use provided safety measures and participate in training. Supervisors must ensure safe systems of work are followed and that work is adequately planned and resourced. The company will enforce disciplinary action for deliberate breaches of safety rules to maintain a safe working environment for the waste removal workforce.

Contractors and subcontractors. Any third party engaged to provide services on behalf of the rubbish company must demonstrate equivalent health and safety arrangements and provide evidence of competence. Coordination between parties is required to manage shared risks and prevent confusion about responsibilities.

Review and improvement. This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and revised to reflect changes in legislation, operational requirements or following significant incidents. Records of reviews, audits and corrective actions will be kept to ensure that the waste removal service continues to meet legal and ethical obligations and to protect everyone involved in our operations.

Commitment statement. The organisation is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all staff, contractors and members of the public affected by our rubbish removal and clearance operations. Continuous communication, training and adherence to this policy are essential to delivering safe, lawful and professional man and van services across our service area.

Signed on behalf of the company. Implementation of this policy is mandatory for everyone working with or for the company, and managers are accountable for ensuring that safety is integrated into all operational decisions.

Policy review date and version control are retained in internal records and updated as necessary in response to operational changes.