Health & Safety Policy — Brixton Man with Van Rubbish Services

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Brixton Man with Van to maintain a safe, healthy working environment for staff, contractors and members of the public engaged with our rubbish removal service. It covers operational controls for our rubbish collection service, waste handling, vehicle operations and site works to ensure risks associated with a man with a van rubbish service and waste collection work are properly managed.

Scope and Application

This policy applies to all employees, subcontractors and temporary workers engaged by Brixton Man with Van while performing duties on behalf of the company. It covers rubbish clearance, residential and commercial waste collection, removal of bulky items, and the safe use of vehicles and manual handling equipment. The policy is a living document and will be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in operational practice, legislation and risk profile.

Policy Statement

We are committed to preventing injury and ill health by identifying hazards and implementing controls based on risk assessment. Our objectives include reducing accidents, providing appropriate training, investing in necessary protective equipment, and promoting safe working behaviours for all waste removal and transport activities.

The company recognises the following responsibilities: management will ensure that policies and procedures are in place, resources are available and compliance monitored; supervisors will ensure safe systems of work; and employees must follow procedures and report hazards. Every individual has the right and duty to stop unsafe work and to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

Risk assessment underpins our approach. We conduct systematic assessments for each task associated with the rubbish collection and waste removal operations, including site access, manual handling of bulky waste, segregation of recyclable material, and identification of hazardous items. Control measures follow the hierarchy of elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safe vehicle operation is a priority. We implement vehicle inspection schedules, driver competency checks and secure loading procedures to prevent shifting loads. Mobile vehicle safety rules, reversing protocols and traffic awareness measures are enforced. Drivers are trained in load restraint, safe parking, and how to manage delivery and collection in high-traffic areas associated with our waste collection routes.

Manual handling and ergonomics are addressed through training, the use of trolleys and lifting aids, two-person lifts for heavy items, and guidance on posture and task rotation. We emphasise the correct techniques to mitigate musculoskeletal injury risks common in rubbish clearance and removal work.

Personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Typical PPE includes high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for waste handling, protective footwear and eye protection. PPE selection is task-specific and maintained to ensure effectiveness. Staff are instructed on proper use and storage of PPE.

Waste segregation and hazardous materials: Our teams are trained to identify and safely manage hazardous or prohibited waste. Flammable, corrosive, electronic waste and asbestos-contaminated materials are subject to strict handling and reporting procedures. If such items are encountered, operations cease and specialist disposal arrangements are activated in line with legal obligations and safety best practice.

Emergency procedures and first aid: Clear procedures are in place for accidents, spills and emergency incidents. Vehicles carry spill kits and basic first aid supplies. All staff receive training on emergency response, incident reporting and the location of assembly points and external emergency services. Incident investigation aims to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Training, competence and communication: Ongoing training programmes ensure staff competence in safe waste handling, vehicle operation and customer site etiquette. Induction for new workers, periodic refresher training and toolbox talks help maintain awareness. Communication channels are used to share safety updates and lessons learned across the team.

Monitoring, audit and continual improvement: We monitor safety performance through inspections, incident records, near-miss reporting and compliance checks. Regular audits of the rubbish removal processes, vehicle condition and PPE use support continuous improvement. Performance indicators drive corrective actions and inform management reviews.

Legal compliance and documentation: The company maintains records of risk assessments, training, vehicle maintenance and incident reports to demonstrate compliance with applicable health and safety obligations. This includes adherence to waste handling and transport legislation relevant to a professional waste collection and rubbish clearance operator.

Key control measures and practices include:

• Risk assessment of each task and site prior to work commencing;
• Safe systems of work for lifting, loading and transporting waste;
• PPE provision and training on proper use;
• Vehicle maintenance schedules and driver checks;
• Hazardous waste identification and specialist disposal arrangements;
• Emergency response plans and first aid readiness.

Review and leadership commitment: Senior management reviews this policy annually or after significant incidents. The review process considers operational changes, legislative updates and feedback from safety monitoring activities. Brixton Man with Van leadership endorses this policy and requires all personnel to play an active role in maintaining a safe working environment for rubbish collection and waste removal activities.

All personnel are required to read and understand this policy and to cooperate fully with safety procedures. Non-compliance will be addressed through our disciplinary process consistent with the aim of protecting people and property. By working together, we ensure our rubbish collection service operates safely, responsibly and professionally.

This policy is effective immediately and will remain in force until superseded by an updated version. Its implementation demonstrates our commitment to health, safety and welfare as central to delivering efficient and safe waste removal and clearance services.