Kensington Man with Van — Health and Safety Policy for Rubbish Removal Services

Kensington Man with Van is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across all its rubbish collection and clearance operations. This policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and practices used to protect our staff, customers, contractors and the public while delivering reliable waste and junk removal services. The aim is to reduce risk, prevent accidents and ensure compliance with applicable safety obligations in a consistent and proportionate way.

Scope and Purpose

This policy applies to every employee, subcontractor and operative engaged in our man-and-van rubbish services, including bulky waste removal, household clearances and commercial refuse collection. It covers risk assessment, safe systems of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), vehicle safety, manual handling and environmental considerations. Our approach is preventative: identifying hazards early, implementing controls and promoting a safety-first culture.

The organisation will ensure that health and safety measures are actively monitored and reviewed. Key objectives include reducing incidents, ensuring correct disposal of waste streams, maintaining clean work areas and providing clear guidance on safe lifting, traffic management and site access. This policy also emphasises communication and training so that staff understand their duties and can work safely when performing man with van rubbish removal tasks.

Responsibilities and Duties

Management has overall responsibility for implementing and maintaining this policy and must ensure that suitable resources are available. Supervisors and team leaders are required to enforce safe working practices and to lead by example. Employees and contractors are expected to comply with instructions, use provided PPE and report hazards. Everyone has a role in preventing harm and supporting continuous improvement.

Practical responsibilities include completing pre-start vehicle checks, following site-specific safe systems of work, and using mechanical aids where provided. Staff must follow clear segregation procedures for recyclable materials, hazardous items and general waste to protect health and the environment.

A simple list of core duties includes:

• Conducting and adhering to risk assessments for each job
• Using appropriate PPE such as gloves, high-visibility clothing and safety footwear
• Following safe manual handling techniques and team-lifting where required
• Reporting near misses, incidents and unsafe conditions without delay

Training and competence are essential. All operatives will receive induction training, practical instruction on manual handling and vehicle operation, and periodic refresher sessions tailored to rubbish collection and clearance work. Competent staff reduce risk and ensure higher service quality. Training records will be maintained and reviewed to make certain that knowledge remains current.

Emergency preparedness and incident response are outlined in specific procedures. In the event of accidents, spillage or unexpected hazards during waste collection, staff must follow the incident reporting process, secure the scene if safe to do so, and seek medical assistance when necessary. Investigation and corrective actions will follow to prevent recurrence.

Risk assessment processes will consider route hazards, vehicle loading stability, traffic interactions, site access, asymmetrical loads and the presence of hazardous materials. Where necessary, additional controls such as traffic marshals, temporary signage or alternative collection methods will be used to protect operatives and the public when performing rubbish removal tasks.

Vehicle maintenance and safe operation are integral to our policy. Vans and trailers used for rubbish transport will undergo scheduled servicing, daily checks and secure loading practices to prevent shifting loads. Drivers must be trained in load restraint and safe driving techniques relevant to waste clearance services.

Contractors and third parties engaged to support our rubbish collection operations will be required to meet our safety standards and demonstrate adequate insurance and competence. Audits and spot checks will be used to confirm that external partners operate in alignment with this policy.

Performance will be monitored through regular safety audits, incident analysis and staff engagement. The policy will be reviewed at least annually or following significant changes to operations, legislation or after a major incident. Continuous improvement is central: lessons learned will be embedded into procedures and training.

Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Failure to follow safety requirements may result in disciplinary action and withdrawal from operational duties until competence is restored. Our commitment is to protect people and the environment while delivering an efficient man-and-van rubbish and clearance service. By embedding clear responsibilities, practical controls and a culture of reporting and learning, Kensington Man with Van seeks to minimise harm and provide dependable rubbish company services.

Signed for and on behalf of management: implementation dates, review timelines and responsibility matrices are maintained internally to ensure the policy remains effective and responsive to operational needs.