Health & Safety Policy — Kingston Man with Van
The following Health and Safety Policy describes how Kingston Man with Van manages health, safety and environmental risks associated with rubbish removal, clearance and man-with-van services. Our objective is to protect staff, contractors, customers and the public by implementing pragmatic controls that reduce hazards to an acceptable level. This policy applies to all operations including vehicle movements, manual handling of bulky items, temporary storage of refuse and onsite liaison. It sets out roles, responsibilities, safe working practices and the commitment to continual improvement across our rubbish removal service area.
All employees, subcontractors and temporary staff engaged by our man-and-van operations are required to follow documented safe systems of work. Management will ensure that risk assessments are completed and that controls are implemented. Staff must wear specified personal protective equipment, undertake required training, and report unsafe conditions without delay. The company will provide adequate supervision, information and resources so that safety measures are effective and consistently applied on every job.
Risk assessments are carried out for both routine tasks and one-off clearances. Typical hazards identified include manual handling injuries, slips, trips and falls, traffic interactions during roadside collections, falling objects during loading and exposure to sharps or hazardous materials. Control measures include the use of mechanical aids, team lifts for heavy items, secure load restraints, exclusion zones for bystanders and clear segregation of waste streams. PPE such as gloves, steel-toe boots, high-visibility clothing and eye protection is provided and enforced where necessary.
Operational Controls, Training and Equipment
Vehicles used by our rubbish collection service are maintained on a planned schedule and undergo daily walk-round checks before shifts. Drivers and crew are trained in vehicle safety, reversing procedures, load distribution and securing methods. Documentation of maintenance, defect reporting and pre-shift checks is retained to ensure fleet reliability. Managers are responsible for ensuring that vehicles are only used within their rated capacity and that any mechanical faults are reported and resolved promptly.
We maintain an ongoing training programme that includes induction, periodic refreshers and task-specific instruction. Training covers safe manual handling techniques, waste segregation protocols, handling of suspected hazardous items, COSHH (for vehicle and cleaning chemicals), and emergency response. Staff are encouraged to participate in toolbox talks and to raise concerns; the company supports a safety-first culture and empowers workers to stop work if they believe it cannot be carried out safely.
Onsite safety procedures require setting up safe loading areas, using cones and signage when needed, and coordinating with site owners to identify hazards before work begins. Where specialist lifting equipment or mechanical aids are required, these are supplied and maintained. The following core controls support our service delivery:
- Documented safe lifting and manual handling procedures
- Planned vehicle and equipment maintenance
- Appropriate PPE provision and enforcement
Waste Management, Incident Reporting and Review
Specific protocols are in place for handling different types of waste. Household and non-hazardous rubbish is segregated as required and loaded in a manner that prevents shifting during transit. Bulky items are inspected for internal hazards before handling. Items suspected of containing hazardous substances, asbestos or contaminated materials are isolated and reported for specialist removal; staff are explicitly instructed not to attempt removal of such items without qualified assistance.
All accidents, near misses and health concerns must be reported immediately using the company incident procedure so that investigations can be carried out and corrective actions implemented. Investigation focuses on identifying root causes and ensuring lessons are learned. Records are kept of incidents, medical treatment given, and follow-up actions to reduce recurrence. Reporting supports training needs analysis and helps prevent future harm across our rubbish clearance operations.
Management will retain records of risk assessments, training, vehicle checks and incident reports and will conduct regular audits to ensure compliance. This policy will be reviewed at least annually and whenever there is a significant change to operations, equipment, or legislation. Managers will consult with staff on safety matters and ensure that adequate welfare facilities, first-aid provision and occupational health support are available where required. Kingston Man with Van is committed to allocating sufficient resources to maintain safe, reliable and responsible man with van waste removal services while protecting health and the environment.
