Health & Safety Policy — Hampstead Man with Van
Hampstead Man with Van maintains a clear and active Health and Safety Policy that reflects our commitment to safe rubbish removal and waste handling across our service area. This policy sets out the measures we take to protect employees, clients, members of the public and the environment while delivering man and van rubbish services. It applies to all operational activities including collection, transport, temporary storage and lawful disposal of general and commercial waste.
Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, minimise environmental impact and ensure compliance with applicable regulations. To achieve this we will:
- carry out systematic risk assessments for all routine tasks;
- provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment;
- ensure all staff receive appropriate training and supervision.
Scope: This policy covers all employees, agency staff and contractors engaged by the company in rubbish collection and waste removal operations. The policy also applies to activities undertaken on client premises and public highways where we operate. Our approach to health and safety is proactive and risk-based, recognising the specific hazards associated with man with van operations including manual handling, vehicle movement, waste segregation and exposure to hazardous materials.
Roles, Duties and Responsibilities
All staff are required to follow safe systems of work. Management responsibilities include setting standards, monitoring compliance and ensuring corrective action where required. Individual employees must: report defects or risks, use issued PPE, observe safe lifting techniques and follow site-specific instructions. Contractors and subcontractors used for heavy or specialised waste tasks must provide evidence of competence and adhere to company safety requirements.
The company will ensure that all drivers and crew operating the man and van service receive training on vehicle safety, secure loading and traffic awareness. Emphasis is placed on pre-start vehicle checks, safe reversing procedures, load restraint and regular maintenance schedules to reduce the risk of incidents. Training records will be maintained and updated as part of our continuous improvement process.
Waste handling procedures focus on segregation, containment and lawful disposal. Staff must not attempt to transport unidentified hazardous materials; such items will be isolated and escalated to a manager. Where relevant, waste transfer documentation and consignment notes will be used to ensure traceable and compliant waste disposal. The company promotes waste minimisation and responsible disposal throughout its rubbish collection service offerings.
Risk Assessment, Control Measures and PPE
Risk assessments are carried out for routine and non-routine tasks including manual handling, repetitive lifting, working near traffic, and loading bulky items. Controls implemented may include mechanical aids, team lifts, route planning to avoid hazards, clear traffic management on-site and restrictions on lone working in high-risk environments. The correct use of PPE such as gloves, hi-vis clothing, steel-toe footwear and respiratory protection is mandatory where risks are identified.
Incident reporting and investigation procedures are in place. All injuries, near-misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately so that remedial action is taken and lessons are shared. The company operates a no-blame reporting culture aimed at identifying systemic improvements rather than individual punishment. First aid arrangements and emergency procedures are maintained to ensure rapid response to incidents.
Environmental compliance is an integral part of our health and safety approach. Decisions around collection routes, waste handling and disposal methods will consider environmental risk and local amenity impacts. This rubbish company service area policy emphasises lawful disposal, minimising spillage, preventing fly-tipping and ensuring that any contaminated materials are processed by authorised facilities. Regular audits and spot checks will confirm compliance with waste transfer obligations.
The company will review this policy at least annually or following a significant incident or change to operations. Senior management is responsible for ensuring the policy is implemented and resourced. Continuous improvement will be driven by performance monitoring, audits, staff feedback (excluding testimonials) and regulatory changes. Key performance indicators will include incident frequency, completion of training, audit results and corrective action closure rates.
Disciplinary measures apply where unsafe practices are deliberately ignored or where compliance is not achieved after training and support. Conversely, safe behaviour is recognised within operational briefings and toolbox talks to reinforce positive practice across our man and van rubbish removal teams. All employees are encouraged to contribute ideas for improving safety and environmental performance.
Acceptance: This Health and Safety Policy is adopted by the company board and applies to all operations carried out under the Hampstead Man with Van name. It will be made available to employees and relevant stakeholders and will be used as the basis for operational safety planning. The policy demonstrates our strong and continuing commitment to health, safety and responsible waste management across the service area.
