Health and Safety policy

Man With a Van Borough Health and Safety Policy

Man With a Van Borough is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal, delivery, and transport services. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks and complying with relevant health and safety legislation and best practice within the removals industry.

1. Policy Objectives

The objectives of this Health and Safety Policy are to prevent injury and ill health, to protect property and the environment, and to continuously improve our safety performance. We aim to achieve this by identifying hazards associated with our moving and transport activities, assessing the level of risk, and implementing effective control measures.

We recognise that the nature of removal and van services involves manual handling, vehicle operations, loading and unloading, and work at a range of locations. Our goal is to manage these activities in a way that safeguards our team and our customers at all times.

2. Management Responsibilities

The management of Man With a Van Borough holds overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy and for ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements. Management will provide appropriate resources, training, equipment, and supervision to maintain safe systems of work in all areas of our removal operations.

Management duties include maintaining up to date risk assessments for key activities, reviewing incidents and near misses, and promoting a positive safety culture. This includes engaging with employees and contractors to encourage reporting of hazards and suggestions for improvement.

3. Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Team members must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly, and avoid taking unnecessary risks when handling items or operating vehicles.

Employees are expected to report accidents, incidents, and unsafe conditions immediately to their supervisor or manager. They must participate in relevant training and toolbox talks, wear any provided personal protective equipment, and cooperate with all measures designed to control risk during removal and transport work.

4. Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Man With a Van Borough conducts regular risk assessments covering activities such as manual handling, lifting and carrying furniture, loading and unloading vehicles, securing loads, operating trolleys and lifting aids, and working in customer properties and communal areas.

Safe working procedures are developed from these assessments and communicated to staff. Where necessary, jobs will be planned in advance to determine access routes, parking arrangements, stair and lift use, and any special handling requirements for large, heavy, or fragile items. We will not undertake work that we believe cannot be completed safely with the resources and equipment available.

5. Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a significant aspect of our removal services. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, we provide guidance and training on safe lifting techniques, team lifts, and the use of handling equipment such as dollies, sack trucks, straps, and blankets. Staff are instructed to avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward to manage safely and to request additional assistance when required.

All handling equipment is inspected regularly and taken out of service if damaged or defective. Employees must not modify equipment or use it for any purpose other than that for which it is intended.

6. Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are central to our operations and must be operated safely at all times. Drivers are required to hold the appropriate driving licence, comply with road traffic laws, and follow company procedures for route planning, loading, and parking.

Loads must be evenly distributed and securely fastened using appropriate restraints to prevent movement during transit. Vehicles are subject to regular checks to ensure they are roadworthy, clean, and fit for purpose. Any defects must be reported immediately and the vehicle removed from service if it cannot be operated safely.

7. Customer and Public Safety

While working at customer premises and in public areas, our team must take care to minimise risk to others. This includes maintaining clear access routes, using caution when moving large items around corners, stairways, or narrow hallways, and placing warning signs where necessary.

We will cooperate with building management, neighbours, and other parties to coordinate safe access and minimise disruption. When working in shared spaces, staff must be mindful of pedestrians, children, pets, and other vulnerable persons.

8. Housekeeping and Property Protection

Good housekeeping is an important part of safe working. Our teams are expected to keep work areas tidy, avoid creating trip hazards with tools, boxes, and packing materials, and promptly clear waste at the end of each job. Protective coverings may be used on floors, stair rails, and doorways where appropriate to prevent damage and reduce slip risks.

We take reasonable care to protect customer property and buildings while loading and unloading, including planning the order of items moved and using suitable handling methods to avoid impact and obstruction.

9. Training, Information, and Supervision

Man With a Van Borough provides health and safety induction training to new staff and ongoing instruction relevant to their role. Topics include manual handling, safe driving, load securing, use of equipment, and emergency procedures. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for monitoring safe working practices on site and for coaching team members where improvements are needed.

Health and safety information is communicated through briefings and updates, and employees are encouraged to raise any concerns or ideas that may help improve safety during removal and transport work.

10. Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, near misses, and cases of work-related ill health must be reported as soon as possible. Incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and to determine any corrective actions required. Lessons learned will be shared with relevant staff to prevent recurrence.

Records of incidents, training, vehicle checks, and risk assessments are maintained and reviewed to monitor safety performance and inform future improvements.

11. Review of this Policy

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in legislation, our operations, or industry best practice. The policy is made available to all employees and to customers on request so that everyone can understand our commitment to safety in the provision of man and van and removal services.

By implementing and maintaining this policy, Man With a Van Borough seeks to ensure that every move is carried out in a professional, responsible, and safe manner for all involved.