Health & Safety Policy — Bromley Man with Van
Bromley Man with Van is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, visitors and the public in connection with our rubbish removal and man and van services. This policy sets out our approach to managing hazards that can arise during removals, waste collection, clearance and transport. Our aim is to reduce risk so that every job — whether a small house clear-out, bulky waste removal or routine rubbish collection — is completed safely, efficiently and with respect for people and property. We adopt a proactive stance: prevention, training and continuous improvement underpin our operations.
Responsibilities and Accountability
Management and staff share responsibility for maintaining safe working conditions. Senior management has overall responsibility for policy implementation, resourcing, monitoring and review, while supervisors and drivers are accountable for day-to-day compliance. All employees must follow safe systems of work, report hazards and use appropriate personal protective equipment. Contractors engaged for specialist tasks will be expected to meet our safety standards and demonstrate competence before commencing work. We expect every person on site to act with care and to intervene when unsafe acts or conditions are observed.
Hazard Identification and Risk Control
Risk assessment is carried out for each type of service we provide, including house clearances, garden waste removal, construction waste collection and same-day man with a van jobs. Main hazards include manual handling injuries, slips and trips, vehicle collisions, falling objects and exposure to sharps or hazardous materials. Controls include the use of mechanical aids, clear segregation of waste streams, secure loading practices, correct lifting techniques and routine vehicle checks. Key controls are detailed as:- Manual handling guidance and mechanical assistance;
- Vehicle safety checks and secure load procedures;
- Waste segregation and safe disposal methods.
Training and competency are essential to our safety performance. All drivers, loaders and operational staff undertake induction training covering safe driving, load restraint, manual handling, hazard recognition and incident reporting. We provide refresher sessions and role-specific instruction for handling bulky furniture, mattresses, electrical items and potentially hazardous waste. Apprentices and new staff work under supervision until competence is demonstrated. Training records are maintained and reviewed to ensure ongoing suitability for the range of rubbish removal and man with a van tasks we undertake.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is supplied and must be used where risk assessments identify its need. Typical PPE includes high-visibility clothing, gloves suitable for waste handling, protective footwear and eye protection. Supervisors ensure PPE is suitable, maintained and replaced as necessary. We promote good housekeeping on vehicles and at work sites to reduce slip and trip risks and ensure that waste is stored securely to prevent access by the public or animals.
Safe vehicle operation is central to our service. Pre-start checks are carried out daily, and any defects are reported and rectified before the vehicle returns to service. Drivers must comply with load weight limits and ensure loads are correctly secured to prevent shifting during transit. We plan routes to balance efficiency with safe driving practices and ensure crew members are briefed on loading/unloading arrangements, vehicle access and parking to reduce on-street hazards during rubbish collection and deliveries.
Emergency procedures, incident reporting and first aid are defined and communicated to all staff. In the event of an accident, the injured person will receive prompt first aid and, where appropriate, medical attention. Incidents and near misses are recorded, investigated and used to inform corrective actions and training updates. We maintain a culture of open reporting so that lessons are captured and shared. This approach helps prevent reoccurrence and strengthens safety controls across the rubbish clearance and man and van operations.
Environmental considerations are integrated with health and safety practice. We operate waste segregation procedures to reduce contamination and minimize handling of hazardous materials. Where potentially hazardous items are encountered, teams follow defined isolation and transfer procedures and liaise with appropriate disposal services when required. Vehicles are loaded and compacted in accordance with safety guidelines to avoid overloading and spillage, protecting staff and the public from unnecessary exposure to waste and debris.
Monitoring, review and continual improvement are part of our safety management system. Performance is monitored through routine site checks, vehicle inspections, safety audits and review of incident statistics. Management reviews this policy and associated procedures at planned intervals or sooner if there is significant change, an incident or new legislation affecting the services we provide. We encourage staff involvement in safety reviews and operate a clear procedure for proposing improvements to tools, equipment and work practices.
Implementation and communication: This policy is communicated to all employees and contractors and is available in written form for reference. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that procedures are understood and applied on every rubbish collection, clearance or man and van job. Regular toolbox talks, briefings and documented risk assessments support safe operations. By maintaining clear responsibilities, effective training and robust controls, the company aims to deliver excellent removals and rubbish services while keeping people and places safe.
Review: This Health & Safety Policy is subject to regular review to reflect operational changes, technological advances and feedback from safety monitoring. Amendments will be made where necessary to maintain a high standard of protection for staff, customers and the community at large.
