Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Herne Hill

Man with Van Herne Hill is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety for our workers, customers, and members of the public affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with moving, loading, transporting, and unloading goods as part of our removal services.

Policy Aims and Scope

The aim of this Health and Safety Policy is to prevent injury, ill-health, and damage to property arising from our work. It applies to all members of our team, including drivers, porters, and subcontractors engaged in removal and man and van work. We also recognise our responsibility to safeguard customers and others at locations where we operate, such as homes, offices, and shared buildings.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy, including:

Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for common removal tasks. Ensuring that vehicles and equipment used for removals are suitable and properly maintained. Providing appropriate training and instruction in safe working methods. Monitoring compliance with safe systems of work and addressing any issues identified. Encouraging staff to raise concerns about health, safety, or welfare without fear of reprisal.

Employee Responsibilities

Every worker engaged by Man with Van Herne Hill has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must:

Follow all safety guidance, instructions, and safe working procedures. Use vehicles, tools, and lifting equipment only as trained and intended. Report accidents, near misses, and hazards to management promptly. Wear any personal protective equipment provided, where applicable. Cooperate with any investigation into incidents or reported hazards.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before starting a removal or transport job, we assess foreseeable risks at the property and during transit. This includes considering access routes, staircases, parking arrangements, traffic conditions, heavy or awkward items, and any known customer vulnerabilities. Our aim is to plan the work so that manual handling is minimised, safe lifting techniques are used, and sufficient staff and equipment are provided for the task.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a key part of moving services, and incorrect techniques can lead to serious injury. To manage this risk, we:

Encourage staff to assess the weight and shape of items before lifting. Use trolleys, dollies, straps, and other moving aids whenever reasonably practicable. Avoid twisting, overreaching, and carrying loads that obstruct vision. Lift as a team when moving heavy, bulky, or awkward furniture and appliances. Reassess the plan if an item is found to be too heavy or unsafe to lift as originally intended.

Use of Vehicles and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are essential to our man and van services and must be operated safely at all times. We aim to:

Ensure that drivers are competent, hold appropriate licences, and are familiar with the vehicle. Carry out routine checks on tyres, lights, brakes, and securing points. Load vehicles so that weight is distributed safely and items are properly secured to avoid movement during transit. Avoid overloading and ensure clear visibility through mirrors and windows. Drive considerately, complying with road traffic laws and adjusting to weather and road conditions.

Loading, Unloading, and Site Safety

Loading and unloading activities can create risks to our staff, customers, and members of the public. We manage these by:

Maintaining clear access routes where reasonably possible. Using safe positioning when moving items through doorways, corridors, and stairwells. Taking care to protect flooring, walls, and fixtures from damage that could create hazards. Being mindful of children, pets, and others present at the property. Avoiding blocking fire exits or emergency access routes with furniture or boxes.

Equipment and Personal Protective Measures

Where appropriate, we provide moving equipment and protective items to support safer working, such as lifting straps, blankets, and basic protective gear. Staff must use any equipment supplied according to training and not attempt to repair faulty items themselves. Any defects or concerns about equipment must be reported immediately so that the item can be taken out of use if necessary.

Working Environment and Welfare

We recognise the importance of an adequate working environment and welfare arrangements, including breaks, hydration, and safe rest periods while driving. Staff are encouraged to take reasonable rest breaks, particularly on longer jobs or where there is extensive manual handling. We do not expect any worker to continue with a task if they believe it has become unsafe due to fatigue, conditions at the site, or unexpected hazards.

Accident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, injuries, and near misses arising from our work must be reported to management. We record and, where necessary, investigate such events to understand causes and identify improvements. Customers are encouraged to inform us of any concerns about safety during or after a job so that we can address them and, if needed, review our procedures.

Customer and Public Safety

We take reasonable steps to protect customers and others from risks associated with our activities. This includes explaining when areas should be kept clear during loading and unloading, taking care when moving items through shared spaces, and maintaining considerate behaviour in residential and commercial environments.

Training, Communication, and Review

We provide information and guidance to our workers about safe working practices relevant to removals and man and van services. This policy is communicated to staff and is available to customers on request. We review the policy periodically and when there are significant changes in our operations, working methods, or legal requirements, ensuring that it continues to reflect our commitment to safe, professional removal services.

Policy Commitment

Man with Van Herne Hill is committed to operating in a way that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of our workforce and everyone affected by our activities. All staff and management share responsibility for upholding this policy and continuously improving safety performance in our removal and transport services.