Health and Safety Policy — Shoreditch Man with Van

This Health and Safety policy sets out the approach and commitments of Shoreditch Man with Van to ensure safe, lawful and efficient rubbish removal and waste clearance operations. It applies to all staff, contractors and persons working on behalf of the company across our rubbish company service area. The purpose is to protect people, property and the environment by reducing risk associated with waste collection, transportation and disposal. The policy reflects the company’s duty to maintain a safe working environment and to operate a compliant rubbish removal service area with clear responsibilities, documented procedures and ongoing review.

Scope and Responsibilities

The policy covers all activities related to our rubbish collection service area, including domestic and commercial clearances, man-and-van lifts, bulky waste removal and safe handling of mixed refuse. Key responsibilities are allocated as follows:

• Management — ensures resources, training and oversight for safe operations.
• Supervisors — implement risk control measures and monitor compliance.
• Operatives — follow safe working methods, use PPE and report hazards.

All employees are required to co-operate with safety instructions and to participate in risk assessments. Failure to follow safety procedures may result in disciplinary action, as safety is integral to our rubbish removal company culture.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out formal risk assessments for every type of job in our waste clearance service area. Risk assessments identify hazards such as manual handling, sharps and hazardous materials, vehicle movements, slipping or falling, and site-specific issues. Controls are selected following the hierarchy of risk control, prioritising elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative actions and PPE. The company maintains written and accessible safe systems of work for repeated tasks.

Training, Competence and Supervision

All staff receive induction training that covers manual handling techniques, correct lifting practices, vehicle loading and securement, chemical awareness where relevant, and incident reporting. Regular refresher training is provided and records of competence are maintained. Supervisors conduct routine checks to ensure staff adhere to procedures within our man and van rubbish service operations. Apprentices and temporary staff are supervised until competent.

We use toolbox talks and on-site briefings to communicate job-specific hazards for each assignment in the rubbish collection service area. These briefings are documented and include welfare considerations for operatives working long shifts or in inclement conditions.

Equipment, Vehicles and Personal Protective Equipment

Vehicles and equipment used for our rubbish clearance service area are maintained under a planned maintenance schedule and subject to daily pre-use checks. Load security and safe loading practices are enforced to prevent shifting loads and spillage. Operatives are provided with appropriate PPE, including but not limited to high-visibility clothing, gloves, steel-toe footwear and eye protection. PPE selection is based on the risk assessment for each task.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Management

Emergencies, including spillages, injuries and vehicle incidents, are managed via clear response procedures. All incidents are reported, investigated and recorded to prevent recurrence. First aid provision and trained first-aiders are available and emergency drills are conducted periodically. The company maintains a clear process for reporting near misses, and learning outcomes are shared across teams to strengthen safety culture in the rubbish removal service area.

Environmental and Waste Handling Responsibilities — The company is committed to responsible waste segregation, lawful disposal and minimizing environmental harm. Waste streams are segregated on site where possible, and hazardous or specialist wastes are handled according to relevant regulations. Drivers and operatives receive guidance on route planning and secure containment to avoid littering, fly-tipping and contamination during transport.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement: Safety performance is monitored through inspections, audits and key performance indicators. This policy is reviewed at least annually and revised when there are significant changes to legislation, equipment, services or after significant incidents. The company encourages reporting and staff engagement to continually improve health and safety standards across the rubbish clearance service area.

Commitment: Shoreditch Man with Van commits to providing the resources and leadership necessary to implement this policy effectively. Everyone working on behalf of the company has a duty to help maintain a safe workplace and to support the safe delivery of waste and rubbish collection services.