Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Tottenham Green
Man with Van Tottenham Green is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety for our staff, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transport activities. This policy sets out our approach to planning, managing and reviewing health and safety in all aspects of our man and van and removal services.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
Our primary objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our work. We aim to provide a safe working environment for our team and a safe service for customers using our removal and transport services. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards, and we will continually seek to improve our performance.
Responsibilities and Management
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the business owner or designated manager. They are responsible for implementing this policy, providing adequate resources and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place.
Supervisors, drivers and removals staff are responsible for following safe working procedures, using equipment correctly, reporting hazards and cooperating fully with health and safety instructions and training. Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We will carry out risk assessments covering our core activities, including packing, loading, unloading, lifting, carrying, driving and working at customers premises. These assessments will identify hazards, evaluate risks and specify the control measures required to reduce risks to an acceptable level.
Safe systems of work will be developed and reviewed regularly. These may include procedures for manual handling, use of lifting equipment, parking and vehicle movements, working in confined spaces or stairwells, and handling fragile or heavy items. Staff will be informed of relevant risk assessments and instructed in the safety measures that apply to their tasks.
Manual Handling and Lifting Operations
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and presents a risk of injury if not managed properly. We are committed to reducing the need for hazardous manual handling wherever reasonably practicable.
Our approach includes planning lifts in advance, using appropriate handling aids such as trolleys or straps where available, team lifting for heavy or awkward items, and adjusting routes to avoid unnecessary carrying or twisting. Staff will be trained in correct lifting techniques, posture and the importance of asking for assistance when needed.
Vehicles, Driving and Road Safety
Our vehicles will be maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition in line with legal requirements and manufacturers recommendations. Drivers must perform basic checks before use and report any defects immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.
Drivers are required to obey speed limits, parking regulations and road traffic laws. Loads must be secured properly to prevent movement during transit, and weight limits for vehicles will not be exceeded. Journey planning will take account of time, traffic and weather conditions to reduce risks associated with fatigue and pressure to rush.
Customer Premises and Public Safety
Many of our activities take place at customer homes, offices and other premises. Our staff will act with care and consideration to ensure that removal operations do not put customers, visitors or members of the public at risk.
Where reasonably practicable, we will plan access routes, keep walkways and stairwells as clear as possible, use warning where there is a slip or trip risk, and minimise obstruction to entrances, exits and emergency routes. Staff will take care when moving large items near doors, windows, fixtures, fittings and vehicles to avoid damage or injury.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
We will provide appropriate tools and equipment to enable work to be carried out safely. This may include trolleys, blankets, straps and other removal aids that help to protect staff and customer property. Equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and in accordance with instructions and training.
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, suitable personal protective equipment may be provided, such as gloves or safety footwear. Staff must use such equipment as instructed and report any loss or defect without delay.
Training, Information and Supervision
All staff will receive health and safety induction and role-specific training relevant to their duties within the removal service. This may cover manual handling, vehicle safety, loading techniques, use of equipment, safeguarding customer property and dealing with emergencies.
We will provide ongoing information and supervision to reinforce safe practices and to ensure that staff understand our policies and procedures. Additional training will be provided when new equipment is introduced, working methods change or risk assessments highlight new hazards.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, injuries, near misses and hazardous situations must be reported to the responsible manager as soon as practicable. Accurate records will be kept so that we can identify trends, investigate causes and put corrective measures in place to prevent recurrence.
Where appropriate, investigations will involve consulting staff who witnessed the incident and reviewing risk assessments and working methods. Findings will be used to improve systems of work, training and, where necessary, this policy.
Health, Welfare and Fitness for Work
We recognise that removal work can be physically demanding. We will pay particular attention to the physical capabilities of staff and encourage them to report any health issues that may affect their ability to carry out tasks safely, including fatigue, injuries or medical conditions.
Staff are expected to present themselves fit for work, free from the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, and to use any prescribed medication responsibly so that it does not compromise safety. Reasonable steps will be taken to accommodate health needs where possible while maintaining safe operations.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
We value the input of our team in improving health and safety. Staff are encouraged to raise suggestions, concerns or ideas about how we can work more safely and efficiently in our removal and man with van services.
This policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in the nature of our work, our service area, legislation or best practice. Any amendments will be communicated to staff, and updated procedures will be implemented promptly.
By working together and following this Health and Safety Policy, Man with Van Tottenham Green aims to deliver a reliable, careful and safe removal service for every customer.
