Wandsworth Man with Van — Health & Safety Policy
Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Wandsworth Man with Van and its operational variants (including Wandsworth man and van and man with van Wandsworth) to protect employees, contractors, customers and the public while delivering rubbish removal and removal van services. The policy describes responsibilities, risk control measures and monitoring arrangements across all activities, emphasising a consistent approach to safe waste handling, transport and disposal in our service area.
Scope: This policy applies to every person employed by, contracting with or representing Wandsworth Man with Van. It covers typical operations in a rubbish collection and light haulage service: vehicle loading and unloading, manual handling, site access, segregation of waste, safe transport in removal vans and interaction with third-party waste transfer stations. The policy extends to temporary workers and subcontractors engaged for specialist tasks.
Definitions and principles: For the purposes of this document, rubbish removal Wandsworth, Wandsworth removal van and related service terms are used interchangeably to describe our core activities. The organisation commits to the following principles: prevention of harm, provision of safe systems of work, elimination or minimisation of risks at source, compliance with applicable safety requirements and continuous improvement through regular review and staff consultation.
Responsibilities: The management team holds overall responsibility for ensuring that the health and safety policy is implemented and resourced. Managers must carry out documented risk assessments, maintain records of training and ensure that vehicles and equipment are serviceable. Employees and operatives are required to follow safe systems of work, use issued personal protective equipment (PPE) and report any unsafe conditions or incidents promptly.
Risk assessment and safe systems: Formal risk assessments are completed for routine tasks (manual handling, loading/unloading, lifting using trolleys or straps), vehicle checks and site-specific hazards. Control measures include safe lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids, route planning to avoid hazards, secure load practices and vehicle segregation when carrying mixed waste. Assessments are reviewed whenever operations change or after an incident.
Training and competence: All staff receive induction training covering health and safety policy, manual handling, basic first aid awareness, hazardous waste recognition and emergency procedures. Refresher training is provided periodically and when new equipment or processes are introduced. Training records are retained and used to ensure that drivers and loaders are competent to operate removal vans and to handle rubbish safely.
Personal protective equipment and welfare: Suitable PPE (gloves, hi‑vis clothing, safety boots and eye protection where required) is provided and maintained. Use of PPE is mandatory for tasks identified in the risk assessments. Welfare arrangements ensure access to first aid kits, hydration and rest breaks during routes to reduce fatigue-related hazards in man-with-van operations.
Vehicle maintenance and driver safety: Vehicles are subject to scheduled maintenance, daily checks and secure load procedures. Drivers must perform pre-departure inspections and report defects. Policies on maximum working hours, safe parking, reversing procedures and the use of banksman/spotter when manoeuvring in confined sites reduce the likelihood of vehicle-related incidents.
Waste handling and segregation: Correct identification and segregation of waste types minimise exposure to dangerous substances and facilitate lawful disposal. Hazardous or unknown items (chemical containers, asbestos-suspected material, sharps) are segregated and reported; they are handled only by trained personnel or referred to licensed contractors. Where safe, sites are photographed and recorded to support safe disposal decisions.
Emergency procedures and incident reporting: Clear procedures exist for first aid, fire response and environmental incidents such as spillage from a removal van. All accidents, near misses and significant hazards are recorded, investigated and used to update risk assessments. The organisation promotes a reporting culture where staff are encouraged to speak up without fear of reprisal.
Monitoring, review and continuous improvement
Performance is monitored through routine vehicle checks, toolbox talks, audit of training records and periodic site inspections. Findings are reviewed by management to identify trends and drive corrective actions. The policy is reviewed at least annually or after significant operational changes to ensure ongoing relevance across our rubbish collection and man-with-van services.Key control measures (summary list):
- Documented risk assessments for common tasks and site conditions
- Provision and mandatory use of PPE
- Competence-based training and record keeping
- Vehicle safety checks and secure load procedures
- Segregation of hazardous materials and use of licensed disposal routes
- Incident reporting, investigation and learning
Policy application and communication: This policy is communicated to all staff, contractors and relevant parties. Managers shall ensure that it is accessible and incorporated into daily operations for our waste collection and removal van activities. Copies are retained as part of corporate records and are available to authorised parties on request.
Legal and regulatory context: This document reflects the organisation's intent to meet applicable health and safety obligations relevant to rubbish removal and light haulage operations. It is not a substitute for statutory instruments or specific legal advice, but it provides a practical framework for safe working practices across the local service area.
Commitment: Wandsworth Man with Van is committed to the continuous protection of employees, contractors, customers and the public by maintaining safe, responsible and compliant rubbish removal services. All personnel are expected to work collaboratively to uphold these standards and to contribute to a safer workplace.
