Health and Safety Policy — Islington Man with Van

Company van and crew preparing for rubbish removal Policy Statement: This Health and Safety Policy outlines the commitment of Islington Man with Van to maintain a safe working environment for staff, customers and the public in all aspects of our rubbish and removal services. We recognise that safe operations underpin reliable rubbish collection, man-and-van jobs and removal activities, and we place safety at the heart of every job. Our approach is to manage risks proactively, ensure compliance with applicable safety standards and promote a culture where hazards are reported and resolved swiftly.

The

Scope and Objectives

of this policy cover all employees, contractors and temporary staff performing duties for the Islington man and van service, including but not limited to rubbish disposal, bulky item collection and light demolition clearing. The objectives are to prevent accidents, protect health, and minimise environmental impacts from waste handling. We will deliver these through regular risk assessments, proper training, maintenance of equipment and clear communication of responsibilities.

Team members conducting risk assessment at a job site Risk Assessment & Hazard Identification: We undertake systematic risk assessments for each task type — from kerbside rubbish collection and van loading to disposal at licensed facilities. Identified hazards include manual handling injuries, slips, trips and falls, vehicle movement, exposure to hazardous waste, and lifting-related harms. Controls are recorded, implemented and reviewed. Key control measures include safe systems of work, use of mechanical aids, route planning to reduce manual lifts, and exclusion of unauthorised persons from work areas.

Roles and Responsibilities

Responsibility is shared across the organisation. Senior management provide leadership and resources; supervisors ensure safe practices on-site; and every operative is expected to follow procedures. Specific responsibilities include:

Management: maintain the safety management system, ensure legal compliance and review policy effectiveness.
Supervisors: conduct pre-work briefings, monitor worksites and ensure correct PPE is used.
Operatives: perform work according to method statements, report hazards and attend required training.

Staff training session for man and van rubbish service

Training, Competence and Communication

We provide all staff with induction training specific to our rubbish removal service area and ongoing competency checks. Training includes safe lifting techniques, vehicle loading procedures for man-with-van operations, handling of potentially hazardous materials and first aid awareness. Records of training are maintained and refresher sessions are scheduled. Effective communication is achieved through toolbox talks, written safe operating procedures and visible signage on vehicles and at work sites.

PPE, Equipment and Vehicle Safety Personal protective equipment is supplied and maintained; staff must wear high-visibility clothing, gloves, steel-toe footwear and eye protection where required. Mechanical aids such as trolleys and lifting straps are used to reduce manual handling risks. Vehicles used by the Islington removal service are inspected daily against checklists to ensure brakes, lights, securing straps and load restraints are in sound condition. Loading plans are followed to ensure stability and prevent shifting of rubbish or bulky items during transit.

Waste Handling, Segregation and Environmental Control

Proper segregation of waste types is essential for safety and environmental compliance. Our teams separate recyclable materials, general waste and controlled waste at source where possible, and ensure that hazardous items (e.g., batteries, solvents, asbestos-containing materials) are identified and handled according to regulatory requirements. Waste transport follows secure containment procedures to prevent spillages and public exposure. Waste documentation is completed for traceability.

Properly sorted waste ready for collection and disposal Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergency Procedures Any accident, near miss or dangerous occurrence must be reported immediately through the company's incident reporting system. First aid kits are available in all vehicles and at main depots, and trained first-aiders are nominated. In an emergency, staff follow predefined procedures to secure the scene, provide first aid where safe, notify emergency services if needed and protect the public from harm. Incidents are investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Securely loaded van departing for a rubbish clearance job

Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement

We monitor safety performance through leading and lagging indicators including training completion rates, near-miss reports, vehicle inspection records and incident frequency. Regular audits and spot checks validate compliance with the policy and highlight opportunities for improvement. Findings are acted upon promptly and shared with staff to embed learning across the team. Safety performance is a standing agenda item at management reviews.

Consultation and Worker Participation Workers are consulted on health and safety matters through regular meetings and active involvement in risk assessments. We encourage staff to raise concerns and propose improvements. This collaborative approach ensures practical, frontline insights shape safety controls for the man-and-van and rubbish removal activities.

Policy Review and Commitment This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if there are significant changes to operations, legislation or following a significant incident. The company commits to providing the resources necessary to implement this policy and expects all staff to support its aims. Through consistent application of these principles, Islington Man with Van seeks to deliver dependable rubbish removal and man-with-van services while protecting people, property and the environment.