Health and Safety policy

Man with Van Ealing Health and Safety Policy

Man with Van Ealing is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and arrangements that guide how we manage risks associated with our work.

Our services include domestic and commercial removals, collections, deliveries and related loading and unloading tasks. We recognise that these activities involve manual handling, vehicle movements, working at different locations and the handling of customers possessions, all of which require effective health and safety controls.

Health and Safety Objectives

Our primary objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and reduce risks arising from our operations. We will aim to:

Identify and assess significant hazards associated with removal work, driving and loading. Implement proportionate control measures to minimise risks. Comply with applicable health and safety laws and recognised industry standards. Continuously improve our health and safety performance through review and training. Encourage a positive safety culture where all staff are responsible for safe working practices.

Management Responsibilities

Company management has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring adequate resources are provided. Management will:

Set clear safety expectations for all staff and contractors. Ensure risk assessments and safe systems of work are established, maintained and communicated. Provide appropriate training, supervision and equipment. Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, and take corrective action where needed. Review this policy regularly and update it to reflect changes in operations, legislation or best practice.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee and contractor working with Man with Van Ealing has a duty to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others. All team members must:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions and training provided. Use vehicles, equipment and protective gear in a safe and responsible manner. Report hazards, defects, incidents and near misses to management without delay. Co operate with management in the implementation of health and safety measures. Refrain from taking shortcuts or engaging in unsafe behaviour at any time.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We assess risks associated with our work and take steps to control them as far as is reasonably practicable. This includes:

Assessing each job for access issues, heavy or awkward items, stairs, loading restrictions and other site specific hazards. Planning routes and schedules to allow safe driving times and limits on working hours. Identifying any special lifting requirements or fragile items that may need additional precautions. Reviewing risk assessments periodically and when there are changes in work processes or equipment.

Where appropriate, we develop safe systems of work for specific tasks, such as lifting large furniture, loading vehicles or operating equipment. These procedures are communicated to all relevant employees.

Manual Handling and Lifting Safety

Manual handling is a core element of our removal and transport services, and we take particular care to manage the risk of injury. Our approach includes:

Providing guidance on safe lifting techniques, including team lifts for heavy or bulky items. Using appropriate handling equipment such as trolleys, dollies or straps wherever feasible. Avoiding single person lifts for items that are excessively heavy, unstable or awkwardly shaped. Planning the route in and out of properties to remove tripping hazards and obstacles before lifting begins. Encouraging staff to refuse unsafe lifts and request assistance or equipment as required.

Vehicle and Driving Safety

Our vehicles are essential to our service, and we recognise the risks associated with driving and road use. To manage these risks we:

Ensure vehicles are regularly inspected, maintained and kept in roadworthy condition. Require drivers to hold the appropriate licence, be medically fit to drive and follow traffic laws at all times. Load vehicles securely to prevent movement of goods during transit and to maintain vehicle stability. Plan journeys to consider traffic, weather and time constraints, reducing pressure on drivers. Prohibit the use of handheld mobile phones while driving and discourage any distractions at the wheel.

Use of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment

Where equipment and protective items are required for safe working, we provide and maintain them accordingly. This may include:

Protective gloves for handling certain items. High visibility clothing when working near traffic or in low light conditions. Safety footwear suitable for lifting and moving heavy objects. Moving equipment designed to reduce strain and improve control. All staff are expected to use equipment as trained, store it correctly and report any damage or defects.

Customer Sites and Public Safety

We work at private homes, business premises and public spaces. We are committed to ensuring that our activities do not place customers or members of the public at unnecessary risk. To achieve this, we:

Maintain clear walkways and avoid blocking access routes and fire exits. Use safe stacking and loading practices to prevent items from falling. Position vehicles to minimise obstruction and ensure safe loading and unloading. Communicate clearly with customers about any temporary hazards during the move.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, property damage and near misses must be reported promptly. This enables us to investigate causes and put in place measures to prevent a recurrence. In the event of an emergency, our staff will prioritise the safety of people first, call emergency services if required and follow any site specific procedures. Details of incidents are recorded and reviewed by management.

Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work

We recognise the physical demands of removal work and aim to protect the health and welfare of our employees. We:

Encourage staff to report any health conditions that may affect their ability to perform manual handling or driving tasks safely. Monitor working hours to reduce fatigue and support adequate breaks. Discourage the use of alcohol or drugs that could impair judgement or physical ability while working or driving. Promote open communication on any concerns about workload, stress or safety.

Training, Communication and Policy Review

We provide suitable instruction and training to ensure our staff understand their responsibilities and have the skills to work safely. This may include induction training, on the job coaching, toolbox talks and refresher sessions as needed.

Health and safety information is communicated through briefings, written instructions and discussions between management and staff. Feedback from employees is encouraged to improve our procedures.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed on a regular basis and updated when there are significant changes to our activities, the law or industry best practice. The current version is made available to employees and customers on request.

By following this policy and working together, Man with Van Ealing aims to provide reliable removal services carried out with a strong commitment to health, safety and the wellbeing of everyone involved.