Health and Safety Policy — Kennington Man with Van

Kennington Man with Van is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across all rubbish removal and man and van operations. This policy applies to every worker, contractor and third party engaged in our waste removal and collection activities. Our objective is to prevent injuries and ill health, eliminate hazards where possible and reduce risks associated with general rubbish collection, bulky waste moving and short-term clearance projects.

We operate a professional man with a van service that includes removal of non-hazardous household and commercial waste, secure loading and transportation, and responsible transfer to authorised disposal points. All activity will be planned and executed to protect the safety of staff, customers and the public. The policy complements statutory duties while reflecting the company’s practical approach to on-the-job safety for all team members.

To deliver safe rubbish clearance and waste handling the company will undertake regular risk assessments and method statements for each job type. Assessments will consider manual handling, vehicle loading, traffic management, trip and fall hazards, and the safe segregation of recyclable materials. Where risks cannot be removed, control measures such as mechanical aids, additional personnel, and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be implemented.

Our health and safety responsibilities are clear and distributed. The Director holds overall responsibility for implementing this policy. Supervisors and team leaders are charged with day-to-day enforcement, while every operative must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others. All employees will receive appropriate training and information to carry out tasks safely.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Training will be provided in manual handling techniques, safe lifting practices, use of lifting aids, and correct PPE selection for rubbish removal. Staff will be assessed for competency before operating vehicles or carrying out complex clearances. Induction sessions and periodic refresher training ensure consistent standards across the man with van workforce.

Supervision includes spot checks, observation of safe working practices, and mentoring for less experienced operatives. Where specialist waste handling is required (for example bulky appliances or items with potential contaminants), additional specialist instruction and controls will be documented and enforced.

Vehicles, Equipment and Maintenance

Vehicles and mobile plant assets will be maintained to a high standard with routine inspections recorded in maintenance logs. Drivers and crew will complete pre-shift checks to ensure brakes, lights, securing straps and load containment systems are serviceable. Tools and lifting aids must be fit for purpose, regularly inspected and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions to safeguard personnel during waste transfer and delivery work.

We emphasise safe loading procedures to reduce the risk of strain injuries and vehicle instability. Loads will be secured to prevent shifting in transit, and gross weights observed to avoid overloading. Where site conditions create additional hazards, a specific site safety brief will be given prior to work starting.

Personal Protective Equipment and Hygiene

Appropriate PPE — including gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe footwear and eye protection when necessary — is mandatory. PPE is provided free of charge and must be worn at all relevant times. Good hygiene practices are promoted: hand washing facilities or sanitiser, correct glove removal techniques and safe disposal of contaminated items.

Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergency Procedures

All incidents, near misses and accidents must be reported promptly. The organisation will maintain adequate first aid provision and ensure staff know emergency contacts and basic first aid steps. Investigations will identify root causes and lead to remedial actions to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures are rehearsed and reviewed periodically.

Waste Types and Exclusions

This policy covers routine rubbish collection, household clearance and non-hazardous commercial waste. Hazardous materials (including asbestos, certain chemicals, clinical waste and contaminated items) are excluded from routine collections and will be handled only by accredited specialists. Staff must not attempt to move or transport items suspected to be hazardous; instead, report and isolate the materials and seek specialist advice.

Monitoring, Review and Continual Improvement

Health and safety performance is monitored through regular audits, driver and crew feedback, and review of incident records. The policy will be formally reviewed at least annually or after significant incidents, changes to operations, or new legislative requirements. Kennington Man with Van is committed to continual improvement and will allocate adequate resources to maintain a safe working environment while providing efficient rubbish removal and man and van services.

Employee Responsibilities and Consultation

Everyone on site is empowered to stop work if they believe a task is unsafe. Employee consultation is integral to our safety culture: staff are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and participate in safety meetings. The company will act on reasonable safety suggestions and communicate changes effectively.

To summarise, this policy sets out a proactive and practical framework for managing health and safety in all waste removal and man with van operations. It balances operational delivery with the protection of people and the environment, and it will be implemented, enforced and reviewed to remain effective.

Signed: for and on behalf of Kennington Man with Van. This policy is available to all employees and is published internally as part of our health and safety management arrangements. It should be read in conjunction with detailed operational procedures and risk assessments for specific tasks.